County gives $10,000 to Marines memorial
Lt. Gov. Crouch endorses campaign for Opha May Johnson display
This article is brought to you by the Kokomo Family YMCA. Does your student want to become a changemaker? Join the Indiana Youth and Government program! Students won’t just read about government; they will be hands-on and learning to be the government! In our model youth government program, students in grades 6-12 will go through government simulations. They get to elect their own peer leaders, debate their own bills, and build a vision for a better tomorrow. Join us as we build tomorrow’s leaders one young person at a time! To learn more about the program, visit our website: https://kokomoymca.org/youth-family/youth-and-government/
The Howard County Board of Commissioners agreed on Sept. 18 to donate $10,000 toward the construction of a memorial to honor Opha May Johnson, the first female Marine and Kokomo native. The pledge kicks off a fundraising blitz that aims to raise $50,000 by early November.
Jerry Paul, president of the Howard County Memorial Corp., made the request for the county’s donation after successfully gaining the board’s approval in August to erect the memorial on the Howard County Courthouse grounds.
“We're trying to do stuff that's never been done that fits in with the City of Firsts,” said Paul. “But we need your help. You'll be the first.”
Paul explained that $50,000 needs to be raised by Nov. 17. Should the memorial corporation reach that goal, it will receive a matching grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program. With the county’s $10,000 and a potential, similar pledge from the City of Kokomo, the effort would be nearly halfway to its goal. With the support Paul believes he can secure at the outset, the memorial corporation would only have to raise $10,000 from smaller donors.
“But we need everybody's help,” said Paul. “We don't take anything for granted.”
The commissioners initially balked at the request for money, despite approving the monument’s installation on county property. Commissioner Jack Dodd was hesitant to be the first to donate.
“I will support as long as the city's on board, because we're committed,” said Dodd. “And it's important that we work well together. It's a worthwhile cause.”
Paul explained that the county was chosen first because the memorial will be placed on county property.
“You opened up the door,” said Paul. “That puts a little pressure on the city, but it's not their property. If the county doesn't support this, it could be pretty hard to get the city to support it. Our past says something. We've done more with a little than most big, congressionally-recognized organizations have done. But you're the start. You're the leaders in this.”
Commissioner Jeff Lipinski made the motion to approve the donation, but a second was slow to follow. Dodd eventually gave a second, but when the vote came, board president Brad Bray had to cast the approving vote. Dodd quite noticeably abstained from the vote.
With the $10,000 commitment in hand, Paul now heads to the Kokomo Common Council, where he will ask for a similar pledge.
On the same day of the county’s donation, the memorial corporation released a statement detailing the support the memorial is receiving from the state. The text of that release follows:
Kokomo residents will soon honor a local military icon if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by Nov. 17. If successful, the project led by the Howard County Memorial Corporation (HCMC) will receive a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) CreatINg Places program.
"An understanding of and respect for the past is the centerpiece of any thriving community, and Opha May Johnson's story is a terrific piece of Kokomo's past," said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "CreatINg Places has allowed communities across the state to culturally engage their citizens, and this proposed addition to the courthouse ensures residents of all abilities can better understand our city's unique place in history."
Funds from this campaign will be used to build a memorial on the northwest corner of the Howard County Courthouse celebrating the legacy of America’s first female Marine, Opha May Johnson. Johnson was born in Kokomo in 1878.
"Over the last 18 years we have become more than just a memorial park dedicated to those that have served and died for their country. We have become a social movement that highlights the contribution of women in the military, women of color and women that work,” said Paul. "Celebrating Hoosier daughter and first female Marine Opha May Johnson underscores our efforts to inspire a future legacy of excellence in our community, by creating programs that teach and promote Johnson’s historic contributions."
Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $9.3 million in public funds and an additional $7.7 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.