Fundraiser planned

On Memorial Day, Dave Stern, a member of the group that cares for the Veterans Monument of ELANCO, was up at 5 a.m. Accompanied by his nearly-seven-year-old granddaughter, Dave prepared the monument to be the last stop on the United Veterans Council Memorial Day Pilgrimage. "She loves (helping)," noted Dave.

The monument was placed in the New Holland Community Memorial Park, 400 E. Jackson St., in the 1980s. To help maintain the structure a group, which includes Dave and his wife Brenda, along with treasurer Dale Mendenhall and secretary Ann Brill, has formed. A fundraiser to benefit the maintenance of the monument will be held on Sunday, June 9, in the banquet hall at the New Holland Legion Conestoga Post 662, 35 S. Hoover Ave., New Holland. Doors for the cash bingo event will open at 2 p.m., and games will begin at 3 p.m. Specialty games and other fundraisers will be part of the event. Advance tickets for 20 games will be discounted. Food and beverages will be available.

Dave pointed out that annual work is necessary to keep the monument properly maintained. "We replace the flags yearly. We have the monument pressure washed, and we have the concrete pressure washed with environmentally friendly chemicals," he said, adding that caulking to keep moisture from collecting behind the granite slabs that make up the monument is done every two years. Electrical work is also necessary so the flags are illuminated.

Several area sponsors volunteer their time so that the organization pays only for materials. Vendors that are called on regularly to help include Atkins Deck Treatment Service; Buttons & Burlap, which is restoring the Memorial Day and holiday wreaths placed at the monument; and BJ Baldwin Electric.

"We want to dedicate that panel to the War on Terror," said Dave, gesturing to a spot on the monument. "This (monument) is for people born in the Garden Spot school district who go into the service and don't return," he explained. "Their names go on the plaque." He added that a plaque on the monument will be added for members of the Space Force.

Mendenhall said that the group hopes to raise at least $3,000 from the fundraiser. She noted that maintenance costs vary depending on the issues with the monument.

Readers who would like to attend the bingo may call 717-201-7131 or 717-371-0955 or email daleelwood@frontiernet.net or annmbrill@yahoo.com.