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In Copake, teenager Gabriella Coons is on a mission to honor fallen veterans by raising funds for a special project. Coons, who is working towards becoming the first female Eagle Scout in Columbia County, is raising money to build a gazebo on the property of VFW Post 7552. This gazebo will serve as a tribute to veterans and will be surrounded by artificial red poppies, symbolizing remembrance for fallen soldiers. A plaque will also be installed to explain the significance of poppies in military history.
Coons initially considered building a pavilion for a local park but decided on a project with deeper meaning. "I knew I wanted to do something for the community," Coons explained. "That's when I realized I should probably do something more meaningful for the veterans." The VFW Post 7552, which currently holds meetings at the local fire department, has a vacant plot of land where the gazebo will be built.
To fund the project, Coons has set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $13,000. So far, she has raised over $8,000. Coons hopes that the gazebo will be the first step in developing the property for future community use.