Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce Donates to Veterans Memorial

The Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce presented a check to the Snellville Veterans Memorial committee during the chamber's monthly luncheon Wednesday (Aug. 21).

Former Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Bender, Current Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts and other committee members on hand to accept the donation of $1,000.

"We've been blessed by donations," said Witts, adding that they've received close to $49,000 for the memorial. "If we didn't have the donations of the engineering and the architecture, there would be no way we could do this. ... We're just fortunate the whole community has come together to get this thing done."

The generous donation was first announced by GECC President Jamie Dempsey at the Snellville City Council meeting Sept. 12.

The memorial, which has been in the works for two years, will be a water fountain surrounded by a wall near the corner of Oak Road and Stone Mountain Highway. It also will have features such as an eternal flame, unique lighting and an expansive footprint.

A major part of the project is the donations and sales of memorial bricks and tiles. Witts said the project is still in need of about $20,000, so those interested in donating or purchasing a brick can visit www.snellvilleveteransmemorial.org.

Also at the GECC event, U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall was the guest speaker. He spoke and answered questions concerning the economy, the Affordable Healthcare Act and more.