The committee behind the efforts to have Chillicothe designated a Purple Heart City, and the endeavor to erect a Purple Heart Monument commemorating the designation, has announced that the fundraising efforts for the purchase and installation of the Purple Heart Monument, has exceeded the fundraising goal.
Those who generously donated to the effort, including local veterans’ organizations, businesses, social organizations, and private citizens totaled a goal-overage of $3,567.59.
With the Monument purchased and now set in place at Chillicothe’s Veterans Memorial Park, Purple Heart Committee Chair, Melody Lapczynski, says the funding overage has been donated to the veterans group Veterans in Transition Inc., a Chillicothe non-profit that provides support and services to veterans struggling to return to civilian life. The non-profit organization helps in securing housing for veterans, and assists them with obtaining utilities, food and clothing.
Photo credit: Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau (Pictured left to right, Melody Lapczynski, Purple Heart Committee Chair; Randy Post, President, Veterans in Transition, Inc.; and Gerry Palmer of the Ross County Veterans Council)
The Purple Heart City designation was bestowed on the City of Chillicothe on June 28th of 2021, with the Purple Heart Monument installed and dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11th, 2021. Veterans Memorial Park is located at the corner of Yoctangee Parkway and Park Street, near the city’s downtown area.