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MIDDLEPORT — There is still time to donate toward the sculpture to be placed in the lobby of Middleport Village Hall.

The Middleport High School Alumni Association recently commissioned the creation of a bronze statue to be placed in the lobby of the former elementary school in tribute to the teachers who taught there.

Fundraising chair Linda Myers recently provided an update on the funding for the sculpture.

Myers states that $1,900 is still needed before the project can move forward — and the money must be raised by the deadline of October 31.

“It’s wonderful that so many alumnae have decided to honor their favorite teacher or student. To date, $2,280 has been raised to pay for the monument, which will consist of a life-size sculpture of a young mother reading to her young child, a base for the sculpture, and a brass plaque with honoree names,” said Myers. “This monument will be located right in the lobby of the Middleport Village Hall, formerly the old Middleport Elementary School. We’re more than half-way to our fundraising goal, but time is getting short.”

The sculpture, valued at $21,000, has been created and donated by Charles “Bob” DeLay (class of ’57) and several anonymous donors. Funds raised are being used to pay for the remaining costs of casting in bronze, the plaque and the sculpture base that the monument will sit on in the Village Hall.

Between now and the end of October, anyone can take advantage of the opportunity to honor a Middleport teacher, group, or former student. A donation of $100 can have the name of a favorite teacher, coach, bandleader, music director, friend or family member memorialized on a brass plaque. All levels of contribution are welcome, and those under $100 will be listed in a planned notebook of recognition to be displayed near the statue.

Myers, stated she is really impressed with the response she’s received.

“Every time I speak to those who went to school in Middleport, they talk about how extraordinary they felt their education was here,” said Myers. “Teachers were always available to help them, and they all felt challenged. It’s very inspiring for me to hear these stories.”

“Everyone remembers the marching bands and the way everyone in town came out for the Friday night parades and football games,” continued Myers. “This kind of community support also really seemed to help prepare kids for life after high school – from knowing how to punctuate a sentence to being encouraged to pursue their life dreams.”

Donors have recognized this incredible educational support. For example, a family wants to honor their aunt, mother and first grade teacher, Helen Maag who taught from 1951 to 1976. Another family is honoring Susan Park for being such a great Latin and literature teacher.

“She was a wise woman,” they stated. “We still use her sayings.”

They also are honoring their older sister for her military excellence. Another donor is honoring Coach Forrest L. Bachtel whose presence at games, even after being retired, continued to be such an inspiration.

“We played harder for him.”

For more information, call Linda Myers, 740-992-2761 or email her atllm6@hotmail.com.