GREENE – Those spearheading the effort to build a memorial in honor of the 13 killed in the tragic shooting at the American Civic Association in April 2009 have raised over $125,000 for their cause since January. They are hoping to add another $50,000 to their coffers by lobbying, not for donations, but for votes as they vie for funding through the Pepsi Refresh Project.
Each month, the multinational corporation best known for its signature soft-drink distributes upwards of $1.3 million through the philanthropic project. According to the Pepsi Refresh website, 1,096 ideas have been submitted for the current round of funding, for which voting began on Dec. 1.
As of this morning, the group’s “idea” ranked 15 among those competing in the $50,000 category.
“We need to be in the Top Ten by midnight, December 31 in order to win,” explained David Marsland of Greene, who serves as the project coordinator for the ACA Memorial Park Committee.
Marsland’s wife, Hong Xiu Mao, was one of the 13 killed at the center where she had been taking English classes and working toward her citizenship. In the wake of the event, he and others who lost loved ones on that day have joined forces to see the memorial project through. According to the group’s website, www.acamemorial.com, the intention is “to build a greenspace with a central monument to honor the people who lost their lives in the April tragedy, as well as those who survived, and the community that responded.”
Plans for the project include the construction of a nine-sided granite and glass center column encircled by plaques honoring each of the 13 killed. The memorial will also include the installation of 13 sculptures of birds in flight, as well as a surrounding garden complete with benches and lighting features.
“The final design is intended to include features that evoke a feeling of renewal combined with a deep respect of the loss that was suffered,” the group states on the site. “The vision of the families is to create an environment that is respectful, but not coldly somber.”
The committee intends to break ground on the memorial park on April 3, 2011, which will mark the second anniversary of the shooting. They are still, however, some distance from their fundraising goal of $200,000, which is the estimated total cost for the project. According to Marsland, the committee has raised $125,000 to date. They have reached it through private donations, as well as several large gifts including $5,000 from the Mee Foundation; $15,000 from the Community Foundation of the Southern Tier; and $60,000 from the Lee and Yum Foundation.
A $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant would go a long way toward closing their funding gap, hence the plea for votes.
“Vote now and every day in December,” encouraged Marsland, who is eager to direct people to the Pepsi Refresh website. To cast a vote for the project visit www.refresheverything.com/acamemorial or text 104461 to Pepsi (73774).
For more information on the ACA Memorial Fund, including other ways to support the cause, visit www.acamemorial.com or contact Marsland at 656-7584 or via email marsland@aol.com.