LCpl Eric Dickson Memorial Event Exceeds Fundraising Goals

Dickson was Teller County's only casualty in the Vietnam war.

WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, March 1, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- by Melissa Batey, perini & associates

A respectful silence filled the atmosphere last Tuesday evening in Woodland Park, Colorado during a beautifully hosted memorial fundraising event held in honor of late U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Eric V. Dickson.

Thanks to generous donations from event attendees and its hosts, The Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce and Park State Bank & Trust, the evening's fundraising goals were not only met but abundantly exceeded.

Although significant funds of $56,000 had previously been allocated, Tuesday's event was established to reach the completion of funding goals totaling $75,000 to build a memorial in Woodland Park's Memorial Park.

The inspiration to create another memorial on Dickson's behalf began with two of his closest childhood friends, Steve Plutt and Steve Storrs. Both actively heading this project and present at Tuesday night's event, they arranged a centerpiece table with visible memorabilia and a printed brochure highlighting the story of Eric's life which was made readily available for those attending.

Helping with the evening were several key people from the community. Among them were Park Bank State & Trust's President, Tony Perry, Choices CEO, Kathryn Perry, and Michael Perini, President and CEO of the public relations and marketing firm, perini & associates.

When asked about the evening, Plutt commented that at first, he wasn't quite sure what his expectations should be and how much funds could be raised in this one event, but afterward he and Storrs were very pleased with the results. "I'm so thankful to Tony, Kathryn, and Mike for all of the work they did. It was a huge success!" said Plutt. Currently, Storrs and Plutt's plans are to dedicate the memorial for the 50th anniversary of their friend's heroic death, which means the building project's completion by late summer of 2018.

Woodland Park's Eric V. Dickson was a 1967 graduate of Woodland Park High School. He was said to be the kind of guy that everyone liked and was known as one of the most active and respected leaders of this community's youth. Not long after marrying his high school sweetheart in the fall of 1967, Eric chose to enlist on May 25, 1967 and was later killed in action in Vietnam on May 31, 1968. Dickson was Teller County's only casualty in the Vietnam war.

About the project
Though this particular event was hosted by The Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce and Park State Bank & Trust, this project has also been strongly supported by the Teller County Board of County Commissioners, the city of Woodland Park, the Woodland Park City Council, and Woodland Park's Mayor, Neil Levy. All funding goals for the bronze memorial to Eric in Memorial Park have been met. An endowment fund is being raised at this time to ensure all future maintenance fees and costs would be allocated properly. The endowment would also instill a new plan to recognize and engrave the names of other Woodland Park High School alumni in a monument in Memorail Park.

If you feel this is a project you would like to support, please mail your donation to: ALA Unit 1980 P.O. Box 5163, Woodland Park, Colorado 80866; Or use the GoFundMe site. Click here.

About perini & associates
perini & associates. Taking public relations to new levels. For information about this news release contact perini & associates at 719.651.5943 or email newsmedia@periniassociates.com; www.periniassociates.com

Michael Perini
Perini & Associates
719.651.5943
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