A Lyon County man has solved a problem and saved a bundle of money for organizers of a project to rejuvenate the helicopter at the All-Veterans’ Memorial at Soden’s Grove.
Ron Whitney, a member of the All-Veterans Memorial Association committee, announced this morning that Justin Klumpe of rural Hartford had taken on the project.
Klumpe volunteered late last month to paint the Huey after comments posted to an online story revealed the problems and expenses being encountered on the project, which initially had been estimated to cost no more than $50,000. Klumpe posted his own comment, pledging his labor at no cost. Since then, the committee, helicopter crew members and Klumpe have worked out the details of the job.
Students in Michelle Barnhart’s seventh- and eighth-grade classes at Olpe began a fundraising drive last year to help defray the costs and involved the OIpe schools and the community in the effort. The group managed to raise about $500, with an additional contribution of $250 from a private citizen.
Then the overall helicopter project stalled, until Klumpe figuratively raised his hand.
“We made a lot of progress in the past several weeks,” said Ron Whitney, a Vietnam veteran who serves on the committee.
Whitney said that Klumpe is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and now serves in the Navy Reserve.
“But the real key here is he was trained in painting military aircraft,” Whitney said. “Isn’t that fantastic? ... He wants to paint it for us and put on the decals.”
The savings in labor costs will be tremendous, he said.
The committee — Whitney, chairman Frank Lowery, and city representatives Mark McAnarney and Bill Hansen — is securing the specialty paint, a lift and a spray gun that Klumpe will use when the weather cooperates.
“We’ll need several days of dry weather, where there isn’t rain forecast every other day,” Whitney said.
“The guys from the crew are excited about it. ... Things are looking very positive right now.”
Whitney said that Klumpe’s solution not only brings a financial boon, it is far less labor-intensive than had been initially believed.
“We don’t have to pick it up off the pedestal and transport it and bring it back,” Whitney said. “This is far, far simpler; it’s far, far cheaper.”
Other contributions have come in, and with the Olpe youngsters’ money, additional funds from grants and government will not be needed.
“We’ve got everything pretty much covered financially,” he said; “even city funds are not going to be necessary at this point.”
Whitney estimated that the project now will cost less than $1,500.
Even the stencils that Klumpe will add after the paint job have been donated.
“One of the crew members was able to locate stencils for us, so there’s no expense there,” Whitney said.
gogreen (anonymous) says...
I think this is great! We need more people like him....to offer themselves up unselfishly to good causes! And the Olpe community is great! Have lived here...most of my life...and it's been very enjoyable. Nice to know you can count on your neighbors! Way to go Justin!!
June 7, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
Justin, you are someone to be very proud of. Thanks for offering your services!!
June 7, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
We often complain about our community and it's shortcomings. Could it be a beautiful, inviting place to live and visit if we had, say, 100 more citizens like Justin Klumpe? Pipe dream... or reality?
Mr. Klumpe deserves praise and recognition. He has demonstrated the true meanings of the words "community involvement" and "citizenship".
If we could clone this guy we could turn Emporia into the garden spot of the state.
June 8, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tbrack (anonymous) says...
What a GREAT Man you are and a patriotic one at that!! We are so proud of you son!!! Let us know if you need any help and dad said he would love to help in any way he can. Love you always......
June 8, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Bravo Justin!
June 8, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
There are alot of good people around here, and Justin Klumpe just reminded me of that. Thanks Justin,for your service in the military and here at home.
June 8, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
BJNEmporia,
We do have many people like Justin that here in Emporia. I saw it for myself a few weeks ago when more than 800 volunteers stepped forward to help build the new playground at Peter Pan Park.
There are also many people working quietly behind the scenes doing good works daily here to help others.
I wish we all could focus on the positive rather than the negative. There is a lot of positives going on here in our community.
Bravo, Emporia!
June 9, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PFletcher (anonymous) says...
Way To Go Justin!!!!!! I am so proud of you an your accomplishments. You are the greatest nephew a person could ask for. Keep up the good work. Love you bunches, Aunt Patty
June 9, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )