Flossmoor Veterans Memorial Aims For $5,000 On 'Giving Tuesday'

HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR, IL — Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial, Inc. (FVM) is targeting a $5,000 Giving Tuesday fundraising goal with a theme of “Join Forces for Flossmoor.”

First created in 2012 in New York City as a local philanthropic effort, Giving Tuesday is now an independent nonprofit and a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, to collaborate, and to celebrate generosity. FVM’s online donation site will allow residents to make a secured Giving Tuesday gift supporting its Wall of Honor fundraising effort on November 28.

For 2023, FVM is introducing commemorative paver bricks that can be engraved to recognize a veteran’s military service. These 4” x 8” pavers, available for a $125 donation, will eventually be installed in the Wall of Honor donor plaza. FVM will continue to offer Hanes crewneck unisex sweatshirts, limited edition challenge coins, the Historic Flossmoor Sites coloring book, and the Richard Haas Murals in Homewood, Illinois, book as additional thank you premiums. All donations benefit FVM, an Illinois 501(c)(3) corporation.

Retired Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun, who serves as FVM’s president, spoke on the efforts.

"In 20 months, we met our first fundraising goal of $100,000," Braun said. "However, our work continues as we prepare for an early spring groundbreaking. We’re grateful for the support of Flossmoor veterans and their families as we work to generate another $5,000 for the 2023 Wall of Honor effort. We hope everyone will ‘Join Forces for Flossmoor’ this Giving Tuesday and honor all of our veterans this holiday season."

In partnership with the Village of Flossmoor, CN Railway, and America in Bloom, FVM expects to construct a Veterans’ Wall of Honor on a 9,500-square foot parcel north of Flossmoor Road and east of the Metra/CN tracks. Designed by Flossmoor architect Michael Matthys, the Wall of Honor will provide a tribute to all current and former Flossmoor residents who are serving or have served our nation’s Armed Forces.

In addition to Braun, other corporate officers and members of steering committee include John Beele, Kristine Condon, Richard Condon, Flossmoor Village Trustee Brian Driscoll, Jim Fornaciari, Josh Grenard, Robert Guilfoyle, Phil Lee, Flossmoor Village Clerk Gina LoGalbo, Tony Manos, Greg Mitchell, Erich Stockwell, and Calvin Young. Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson serves as an ex-officio member of the steering committee.

Fundraising updates will be posted throughout Giving Tuesday with the hashtag #joinforcesforflossmoor. For more information, or to support FVM’s Giving Tuesday effort, visit @honoringflossmoorvets on Facebook, @FlossmoorVWH on Instagram/X, https://flossmoorvets.square.site on the web, or flossmoorvets@gmail.com via e-mail.