UpLift Johnson County created a QR code for people to scan to donate to efforts to revitalize Proctor Park in New Whiteland and build memorials to honor fallen Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith and Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Guyer.
UpLift Johnson County is working with the Proctor Park Committee to spearhead a project to raise funds for a public safety monument at Proctor Park. located at 499 Tracy Rd, New Whiteland.
The monument is envisioned as a peaceful place to honor and remember our Johnson County service members and first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty.
UpLift Johnson County has also pledged $5,000 toward the fundraiser. This is “reflecting our unwavering dedication to recognizing the brave individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our community and country. By actively participating in this project, UpLift and the Proctor Park Committee seek to bring the community together, ensuring that the memory of these heroes is preserved as a vibrant part of our county’s identity and history,” a news release on the initiative says.
The initiative began with an idea from the committee and Maribeth Alspach, the former New Whiteland clerk-treasurer.
The project is to add a new monument honoring fallen Johnson County officers. It began to honor Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith, a graduate of Whiteland High School and a Johnson County resident who sacrificed his life in the line of duty on June 28. It has been expanded to include Johnson County Deputy Timothy Guyer, who died during training a short time later.
UpLift Johnson County and the Proctor Park Committee envision comprehensive improvements to the surrounding park, to enhance and expand upon the existing Walk of Freedom to honor veterans and the Pathway of Honor for our first responders and make necessary repairs and improvements to the existing monuments. These enhancements will not only create a serene and respectful space for reflection but also provide an inviting environment for families, visitors, and community members to come together and pay their respects, while enjoying the amenities of the park.
“We believe that it is our responsibility as a community-focused organization to honor the memory of those who have sacrificed everything for us. By partnering with the Proctor Park Committee, we are not only preserving history but also fostering a place of solace and unity. We must never forget our fallen heroes” Wendy McClellan, executive director at UpLift Johnson County, said in a statement.
As of last week, the fundraiser was nearly halfway to its goal of $50,000.
For more information, see our previous reporting on the project here.
