COUNCIL BLUFFS — The American Legion Riders on Tuesday gave a $1,000 boost to Children's Square U.S.A.'s efforts to replace its missing "Jason" statue.
Group representatives presented the donation during a Thanksgiving luncheon organized by Children's Square Academic Center students. Elementary students made invitations, middle school students made centerpieces and high school students prepared the dinner with supervision by the teaching staff.
"Jason's like an icon," said Wes Petersen of the Legion Riders. "It showed them the courage to carry on their life. We all voted to help donate toward a new Jason. I hope other businesses will step up and help, too."
The 3.5-foot bronze statue of a boy running was discovered missing from the Children's Square campus the morning of Nov. 12. The work was created by sculptor Tom Palmerton from a photograph taken years ago by Bill Ramsey of a 4-year-old student at Children's Square, an emergency shelter for youths. The statue had been a fixture in front of the Lemen Visitor Center since 1991.
"We really appreciate your generous donation, and it truly is why we are thankful today," said Carol Wood, president and CEO of Children's Square.
"Jason is so important to us here on the campus," Wood said. She added that some of the students had made "Wanted" posters asking for the return of the statue.
Children's Square has been in contact with Palmerton, but he no longer has the mold used to cast the original statue. Officials also have been in touch with Palmerton's son, Mark, who makes the 14-inch replicas used for the Jason Awards.
If a new statue were made, it would need to be protected so it would not meet the same fate as the original, Wood said. But installing enough security equipment to safeguard an outdoor sculpture could be expensive.
"Our money needs to go to kids' care," she said. "You don't want the Jason figure to become bigger than taking care of the kids."
One option would be to place the statue inside a building, she said.
The Legion Riders hold several fundraisers throughout the year for Children's Square, including poker runs, a chili cook-off and an annual benefit, Petersen said. In addition, members bring their motorcycles to the campus once a year so the students can see them and have their pictures taken with them.
Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact Council Bluffs police at 712-328-5737, Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867 or Children's Square at 712-322-3700.
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