The fundraising effort for the construction and dedication of a Veterans Park in Upper St. Clair has entered the final phase.

The goal for the month of July is to collect the remaining funds, less than $140,000, in time for a groundbreaking ceremony on July 29.

On this Fourth of July, a day when Americans celebrate independence, committee members issue a challenge to the community.

"Our target is to dedicate the park on Veterans Day, 11/11/11," said T.J. McGarvey, president of the USC Veterans Park board of directors. "We are confident that are community has the resources to complete the fundraising efforts in the next month."

For board members Vicki McKenna and H. Scott Hawkins the decision to contribute to the project has personal significance.

"Our family decided to honor my father's military service by making our contribution in his honor," McKenna said.

"My dad was a fixture in Upper St. Clair—a businessman, lifelong resident and committed community member," Hawkins said. "This is exactly the kind of community project that he would have supported. For us, knowing his name will be permanently associated with this project is meaningful to our family."

So far, board members have raised more than $500,000 in in-kind and cash contributions for the memorial that will honor military service and provide a community education venue. Opportunities remain for sponsorship of site monuments and all donations of $1,000 and greater will be permanently recognized at the site.

The park will be located across the street from Upper St. Clair High School.

Upper St. Clair Veterans Park, Inc. is a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Click here for additional information or to contribute.