Local and state officials huddle on June 15 to confer on possible avenues to preserve the historic Lincoln Highway Bridge in Tama. -News-Herald file photo/John Speer

The fund raising to make the Lincoln Highway Bridge able to withstand semi traffic is close to its goal of $12,000, which will be combined with the money already secured. Currently, the fund has over $9,000. Contributions came from The State Bank of Toledo $2,500. Other contributions came from Cynthia Roth, $1,000 and from the Lions Club $1,000. $500 was contributed by Larry and Denise Fletcher, $500 from Oak Hill Cemetery Association, $500 from the Lincoln Highway Association, and $467 from the Class of 1955.

In addition to these donors, people have been contributing to the fund from the local area and also people whose home had once been Tama but who now live in other states. Their contributions brought the fund close to its final goal. $300 to $200: donors were the following: Lincoln Highway Park Association, Dan and Sue Anderson, American Legion, Lee and Shirley Fisher, Anne Michael, Tim Rebik. $199 to $100: Frances Ford Chantland, Janet Hartsell Grupp, Ron Weir, Dean Fisher, Rose Wiese, Jim and Mary Roan, Jan Gammon, Maxine Upah, Norma Kriegel, Jeff and Mary Fasse-Shaw, Charles Betz, Angela Jones, Chuck Brandt, Pat Prusha, Mark McCune, Kim Banes. $99 to $10: Kim Southern, , Brenda Romig, Edward Wright, Patricia Feisel Cargill, Heather Nekola, Linda Nieman Eastman, Steven Bucksbaum (Arnold Realty), Brent Heeren, Claudia Fisher, Jim and Deb Plantz, Darin B. Gambol, Connie Campbell, Bruce and Marilyn Hanna.

A heartfelt thanks to all who have donated. Currently, there is one application for another donation from the Lincoln Savings Bank.

Anyone who would like to donate should send their checks to the City of Tama and mark them for the Lincoln Highway Bridge Fund.