Schools

School Board Approves Expansion of Springfield Volunteer Memorial Wall

Work will begin in March on an addition to the Springfield Volunteer Memorial Fund's recognition wall at Central Field. The original and expansion wall were both designed by students.

The Board of Directors Jan. 26 unanimously approved a request to expand the Volunteer Memorial Wall, located on a piece of land owned by , at the intersection of Powell Road and Saxer Avenue, across from the all-volunteer and .

Stanley L. Johnson, former school board member of 28 years with six terms as president, the namesake of the boardroom, made the request on behalf of the Springfield Volunteer Memorial Fund, an organization that recognizes volunteers in Springfield and Morton communities.

The wall was built with the sentiment to recognize John “Jack” Toner, a dedicated Springfield volunteer, who died due to a heart issue 18 years ago, said Johnson, who was on the school board at that time.

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Toner’s was the first plaque placed on the original wall, designed by Ryan Livasser, who was a student then. He is now a practicing architect in New York City.

Annually, before the Independence Day parade, the Springfield Volunteer Memorial Fund (SVMF) places one new plaque on the wall during a brief ceremony to honor exemplary volunteers from groups like the Lions Club, Rotary Club and school board, Johnson explained.

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Every fifth anniversary, the SVMF places two new plaques on the wall. Last summer, the 15th anniversary of the wall was celebrated. 

“It’s been so successful we’ve filled up the wall and we need more space,” Johnson said. “We’re blessed to have so many volunteers in the Springfield and Morton communities.”

Plaques could be placed on the backside of the existing wall, he said, although he believes most families would prefer their loved-one’s plaque on the side facing the street.

Senior Nicholas Friez, who is in the high school's engineering program, presented his design for a second wall that can hold 27 more plaques. Friez got involved when the memorial fund asked him if he would be interested in being a junior architect on the project.

“We wanted to have a student design it, since the original wall was designed by a student,” Johnson told Patch.

The design includes the addition of a brick walkway. The SVMF is conducting a until April 1.

Lighting is the only aspect of the design that isn’t finalized. Indirect downward lighting is being considered so lights are not easily vandalized, Johnson said. Other designs were considered, like adding wings to the existing wall, but he said the addition of a second wall seemed the most feasible.

At a rate of one plaque every year, with two plaques added every fifth anniversary, the 27-plaque addition will provide spaces for new honorees for about 22 years, Johnson said.

The SVMF, the board’s Facilities Committee and original designer Livasser all approved the design before approaching district directors for formal approval.

The memorial fund seeks volunteer mason and construction laborers to start work on the wall in March. Johnson said the SVMF has already begun contacting masons to find similar materials to match the existing wall. He said the memorial fund is currently fundraising through the brick drive and by asking for contributions from individuals and organizations.

Board Treasurer Douglas Carney said the design is “simple and elegant” and Friez shows talent. Director Donald Heller remarked how he liked that the whole corner was incorporated.

School directors all showed support for the expansion and it was approved.

To make a contribution to the SVMF, contact Treasurer David Krauter at (610)-543-1268 or Stanley L. Johnson at 610-909-5918. Construction and mason workers interested in volunteering should contact Bob Sinkinson at the at (610) 543-1300.


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