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Gold Star Family memorial project raises $10,000; group seeks donations and in‑kind help to meet April deadline
Summary
Organizers reported the Keizer Gold Star Family Memorial campaign has raised more than $10,000 toward an initial fundraising goal; they need roughly $30,000 by April 1 to meet fabrication lead times for an anticipated September 2025 dedication and asked the council and community for support and permissive use of donated services.
Organizers of a planned Gold Star Family memorial told Keizer City Council on Jan. 6 that the fundraising drive has passed the $10,000 mark and is seeking additional donations and in‑kind services to meet a fabrication funding deadline.
Project volunteers said they must provide approximately 50% of the monument cost (about $30,000) to the Woody Williams Foundation by April 1 to meet a six‑month fabrication lead time needed to have a monument in place by September 2025. Organizers described a mix of small individual donations and larger gifts, noted a pending grant application to the Keizer Parks Board, and reported donated services for site preparation and removal of a tree and water feature.
Matt Lawyer, speaking for the group, said the community response has included many modest individual donations and that momentum would increase once some preparatory site work is visible. Councilors and staff expressed support and gave consensus for volunteer‑led site work and repairs. Organizers asked residents and businesses to contact the project through its Facebook page (Keizer Gold Star Family Memorial Monument) or email for donations and to coordinate in‑kind contributions.
City staff said they would permit donated services for site preparation and that the council expressed no objection to organizers proceeding with volunteer work as offered.
