WFTV 9 Family Connection is proud to help support a new Veteran's Memorial Park coming to Central Florida. Our 9 Family Connection partner, CFADA is helping make this dream a reality and we need the community's help.

On target to open late next year near the new Veteran's Hospital near Lake Nona, this will be a one-of-a-kind tribute to the many Central Floridians who have lost their life making the ultimate sacrifice.

Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2003 to develop World Class memorial parks to honor the approximately 1,100 Veterans who left Central Florida and never returned. The Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit and contributions qualify for tax deductions.No member of Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc. receives compensation for services.

This world class Memorial is to be located adjacent to the new VA Medical Center (VAMC) across from the south entrance of the center at a beautiful location facing a lake. On nearby VA property will be a chapel, long-term care residence and parking. Design is being coordinated to be consistent with the design of the new VAMC. The memorial will be a focal point of the VAMC and will be an important addition to the Medical City and Central Florida. It will honor approximately 1,100 veterans from Orange, Lake, Brevard, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties who made the ultimate sacrifice and never returned. As this is a major project involving approximately $3 million dollars in combined construction costs and an endowment for maintenance of the Park. Your most generous contribution would be appreciated to honor those who have given far more. While you can contribute, as shown here by clicking the green button, major outright gifts of cash or stock qualify for naming your gift in honor or in memory of a loved one.

Below is a list of 2011 events where you can see the model up close or come out and support the fundraising efforts:

Sept 21 Scale Model of Memorial at Lake Mary Event Center Hosted by Mayor David Mealor

Oct. 8 Scale Model of Memorial at Parks Lincoln 3505 US 17-92 Sanford/Seminole

Oct. 22 Scale Model of Memorial at Parks Deland Toyota 1701 S. Woodland Blvd. Deland/Volusia

Oct. TBD General James Jones, to speak on National Security at the American Legion Lee Road

Nov. 5 Scale Model of Memorial at Starling Chevrolet, Buick 1001 Bronson Hwy St. Cloud, Osceola

Nov. 12 12 Annual Veterans Day Parade, Downtown Orlando, 11 a.m.

Nov. 12 Scale Model of Memorial at Lally Orange Buick 3883 W. Colonial Drive Orlando/Orange

Nov. 17 American Legion 2nd Annual Golf Tournament, Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club, Clermont

Nov. 28-Dec. 1 I/ITSEC 2011 Conference Orange County Convention Center

Dec. 31 Last chance for year-end giving for tax purposes as 60% individuals make gifts to charities/nonprofits between October and Dec. 31st.

In addition, some donors prefer setting up a trust that provides them income during their lifetime and a contribution to the Park as well. The CFVMP Foundation accepts gifts of life insurance and bequests. Please consult your tax advisor before making such gifts. For more information, please contact Jerry Pierce at 407-529-6925 or Billy Enfinger at 407-855-6169.

For more information and to learn how you can GET INVOLVED, visit www.cfvmpf.org/