Compassionate Friends group looking to raise $25,000 for children's memorial in Ocean Springs

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Computer renderings of the Children's Memorial planned for the grounds of the Ocean Springs Civic Center.

(The Compassionate Friends)

OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- The final plans have been approved and fundraising has begun for what will ultimately be a memorial to deceased children on the grounds of the Ocean Springs Civic Center on U.S. 90 east.

The Mississippi coast chapter of The Compassionate Friends -- a nationwide support group for bereaved parents -- first approached Ocean Springs aldermen in early December 2014 and were granted approval to construct the memorial in a grass area in front of the civic center and adjacent to the Mississippi Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.

A sign announcing the planned Children's Memorial currently sits on the grounds of the Ocean Springs Civic Center.

A sign announcing the project now sits where the memorial will be located.

City officials approved the memorial's design in February and fundraising for the $25,000 project began in early March. The Compassionate Friends will raise all funds for the memorial, which will be constructed at no cost to the city.

"It's a little slow right now," said TCF's Pam Taylor of the fundraising effort. "It's just a question of getting the word out and doing some advertising."

The group's Ann Schuck told Ocean Springs officials in December the memorial is for "all children who have gone too soon" and that erecting it near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will give the children's memorial "an air of reverence."

    The group hopes to have the $25,000 needed raised by the start of June, with a groundbreaking shortly thereafter. If all goes well, the memorial would be completed sometime between October and December of this year.

    The memorial will consist of bricks purchased by those wishing to honor a child. A memorial brick is $100 and sponsor bricks can also be purchased for $250 to $1,000.

    Additionally, commemorative bricks which are smaller and can be kept as a keepsake can be purchased for $20-$25. Bricks can be purchased by anyone -- it is not limited to TCF members or local residents.

    Those wishing to purchase a brick for the memorial can call 855-636-9255 or visit the memorial website.

    The Compassionate Friends was founded 35 years ago and has had a local chapter on the Mississippi coast for over 30 years. There are 650 chapters located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.

    More than 16,000 people attend monthly meetings. The local chapter meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Ocean Springs Public Library.

    There are some 300 members in the Gulf Coast chapter.

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