Groundbreaking ceremony set for Gold Star Families Monument

BOURBONNAIS — Step by step, Bourbonnais Life Scout Alexis McCullough continues moving closer to becoming an Eagle Scout by the time she turns 18.

In the meantime, she will be celebrating turning 17 by breaking ground for the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument she is working to bring to the community for her Eagle Scout Service Project.

A groundbreaking ceremony is slated for 10 a.m. Friday at Marcotte Park.

A groundbreaking banner will be placed at the park, and cupcakes will be shared to celebrate McCullough’s 17th birthday.

McCullough is aiming to reach her fundraising goal of the $120,000 cost for the large, black-granite monument, which honors Gold Star families through the Woody Williams Foundation, by the end of October.

A handicap accessible plaza and sidewalk are also planned to be included with the monument.

McCullough has met with a landscape designer who has offered suggestions on how to enhance the overall area with benches, lighting and landscaping materials. With those additions, the project will exceed $120,000.

Fundraising for the beautification will take place this fall to ensure planting in the spring before the monument’s dedication ceremony.

In addition, McCullough hopes to recognize other Gold Star family members, those who have lost a loved one in active duty military service, when it is time for the dedication ceremony for the monument.

She is encouraging Gold Star family members to share their contact information; she can be reached at 815-683-5005 or GoldStarEagleProject@gmail.com.

Cassandra McCullough, Alexis’ mom, said she has no doubt that her daughter will be able to reach her main $120,000 fundraising goal by the end of October.

That is not all she feels her daughter has achieved in the process.

“Throughout this journey, Alexis has grown within herself and the local community,” Cassandra McCullough said. “When she started the project, she wanted to make sure that Gold Star families knew that they were supported, and they did not feel alone. I believe that she has accomplished that goal.”

Also coming up, the community is invited to a spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the United Methodist Church in Bourbonnais. The dinner is free with a donation; the goal is to encourage fellowship with Gold Star families and supporters in the area.