Johnson 4th-graders present a check in the amount of $536.85 to Make-A-Wish Foundation representative Rebecca Dykstra.  

A Fort Thomas elementary school is doing their part to helping build the city’s namesake statue and giving back to a charity that helps terminally ill children.

Johnson Elementary 4th-grade students raised $1,073.70 with their annual Kentucky history wax museum project.  Money collected through donations received during the wax museum presentations were split  between the George H. Thomas statue fund and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

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At the January 3 Fort Thomas City Council meeting, Fort Thomas resident, Bob Heil, spoke about the statue of General Thomas that he has undertaken on behalf of the city.

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“We’re going to finally honor our namesake in a very public way,” he said.

Originally, there were hopes to have the statue completed by July of 2017, but he said that the creation is about a two and a half year process.  The sculpture is being created by Matt Langford, a passionate local artist who has researched General Thomas thoroughly and who has created other works.

Johnson 4th-graders present a check in the amount of $536.85 to Fort Thomas 150th Celebration committee representatives  Debbie Buckley and Bob Heil.  The committee is heading the George H. Thomas statue fund.

The estimated cost is $150,000, and the location has been determined to be part of the Midway Streetscape project.  The goal is to raise $100,000 in a private fundraiser.  Any donor who contributes $10,000 will receive a limited edition smaller (12 inches tall) bronze sculpted replica of the full size version of General Thomas.

Heil asked Council if they would be willing to put up the first $10,000 for the statue.

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