Giving Tuesday Initiative Benefits Flossmoor Memorial Wall Project

FLOSSMOOR, IL — As efforts continue to build a memorial wall in Flossmoor that honors local veterans, local residents will have the opportunity to contribute to the project as part of the annual Giving Tuesday philanthropic initiative.

Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial, Inc. has set a $5,000 Giving Tuesday fundraising goal with a theme of “Join Forces for Flossmoor.” The effort is part of an ongoing fundraising plan to collect $100,000 to help construct the Wall of Honor, a 9,500-square-foot parcel north of Flossmoor Road and east of the Metra/Canadian Northern 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 in the military, organizers said. So far, 60 percent of the goal has been reached, leading into this year’s Giving Tuesday efforts.

“We’re grateful for the support of Flossmoor veterans and their families as we work to generate another $5,000 for the Wall of Honor effort,” said retired Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun, who serves as the group’s president. “We hope everyone will ‘Join Forces for Flossmoor’ this Giving Tuesday and honor all of our veterans this holiday season.”

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, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Flossmoor Veterans Memorial is introducing new donation thank-you gifts for this year, including Hanes crewneck unisex sweatshirts, organizers said. The cotton/polyester shirts are made with 7.7 percent polyester from plastic water bottles.

The local organization will continue to carry its limited-edition challenge coins, the Historic Flossmoor Sites coloring book, and copies of Richard Haas Murals in Homewood, Illinois as thank-you premiums.

In addition to Braun, other corporate officers and members of the fundraising and communications subcommittees 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 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/Instagram, @FlossmoorVWH on Twitter, the Flossmoor Veterans Memorial website, or flossmoorvets@gmail.com via e-mail.