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We are off and running with our final push to raise the balance of the funds for the pedestal and plaza. During December, particularly, we urge everyone to buy a "Christmas Brick"--give the gift of a brick to or for someone you care about. It will be a truly remembered gift, and one that will last for years and years.

Since we wish to be on the Spring construction schedule with the Seattle Parks Department (so everything is completed by Summer, 2008), we have to have the balance of the funds in so we can go out to bid in early 2008. Depending on costs (which never seem to go down), we may need another $80,000 or so, just to be on the safe side. That's 800 bricks--a lot to sell in a month, but it can be done.

However, not all the money needs to come from bricks. We also have our Major Donor category, which is $15,000 and above. The only one in that category at the moment is the City of Seattle; their City Council just officially passed on putting $50,000 toward these final construction costs. We are looking for other Major Donors.

We also have benches, with a plaque to go in front of each of them, at $5,000 and above. This Bench Donor category would be a wonderful, lasting tribute for organizations and families.

We also have a new category; the Landscape Marker Donor, at $2,000 and above. One person from New York City already purchased one for his family, and we expect more from this, but there are only a few places we will be able to put these markers.

Duke's on Alki will be hosting a Gala Dinner late in December on behalf of the project--more details later.

Additionally, we have a lot of "Elves" out there with brick donation brochures, so look for them.

This is the time to really finish this project. The enthusiasm is high, the City of Seattle is certainly committed (and we appreciate that very much), and a lot of good people have felt they waited too long already to see this project completed (including Libby and I--it's why we got involved).

Let's all look forward to enjoying a beautiful new plaza to host our beautiful new statue in the Summer of 2008, knowing we have left a gift for generations of people that reflects how proud we are of our country, our city, and our spirit of freedom and independence.

Thank you all very much.

Paul Carr