Public ask to help ready Charters of Freedom in Columbus Saturday

COLUMBUS—Local residents can be a part of history Saturday and help ready the grounds for the Charters of Freedom currently being constructed at Veterans Park in Columbus. 

The volunteer day is scheduled for 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17 at Veterans Park. Volunteers will help with raking and leveling dirt, cutting shrubs and placing mulch. Volunteers are asked to bring their own garden and yard tools. 

The Charters of Freedom committee is also helping to sell legacy pavers for Charters of Freedom projects. The pavers will give local residents a chance to recognize someone as a supporter, someone who served in the military or to make a tribute to those who will visit Polk County’s Charters of Freedom. 

Forms for the brick pavers can be picked up at the Polk County Manager’s Office or at Columbus Town Hall. Online orders can also be made by visiting chartersoffreedom.com/shop/. 

A dedication ceremony for the Charters of Freedom is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m., which is Constitution Day. 

The top frames for the Charters of Freedom were installed this week with volunteers from the Columbus Fire Department, Polk County Maintenance staff and town of Columbus employees. 

The Charters of Freedom were donated to Polk County by the Foundation Forward Inc. and are displays of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The county and Columbus, who are working together on the project since the town owns the property they are being displayed, decided to have them placed in Veterans Park, in downtown Columbus.