G-1. Angel of Hope Statue0
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
G -J-
MEMORANDUM
TO: Park and Recreation Commission
FRO10'I: Todd Hoffinan, Park and Recreation Director
DATE: May 28, 2014
SUBJ: Angel of Hope Statue Donation; William's Wings Foundation
PROPOSED ACTION:
The Park and Recreation Commission recommends that the City Council accept
the donation and installation of an Angel of Hope Statue and all related
improvements from the William's Wings Foundation. The statue will be placed
on city -owned green space located along Santa Vera Drive west of Kerber
Boulevard. With the exception of mowing and sidewalk snow removal, the
statue, grounds, related improvements and associated events shall be operated,
funded and maintained by the William's Wings Foundation and /or their designee
in perpetuity.
Park & Recreation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
On April 22, 2014, Todd and Misty Luecke of the William's Wings Foundation
presented a proposal to the Chanhassen Park and Recreation Commission
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
regarding the donation of an Angel of Hope statue to the City of Chanhassen. In
Phone: 952.227.1400
2012, Todd and Misty tragically lost their son William in an incident at daycare
Fax: 952.227.1404
which was attributed to sudden unexplained infant death. In his memory they
established William's Wings Foundation.
Planning &
Natural Resources
The purpose of the foundation is:
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
• To provide hope, healing, help and hopefully smiles again to families
Public Works
grieving the loss of a child for any reason;
7901 Park Place
• To purchase a Christmas Box Angel Statue and erect a monument to serve as
Phone: 952.227.1300
a beacon of hope and remembrance for families who have lost a child;
Fax: 952.227.1310
• To provide financial support to recognized Section 501(c) (3) organizations
Senior Center
who conduct research, education, and informational activities related to
Phone: 952.227.1125
sudden unexpected infant deaths;
Fax: 952.227.1110
• To provide financial support to recognized Section 501(c) (3) organizations
who provide support and encouragement to families grieving the death of an
Web site
infant or young child; and
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
. To advocate for the health and survival of all children.
Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow
Park & Recreation Commission
May 28, 2014
Page 2
Past donations of statues or monuments that have been accepted by the City of
Chanhassen include the Veterans Monument donated by the Chanhassen
American Legion Post 580 in 2009; and the "Two Children on a Bench" statue
donated by the Friends of the Chanhassen Library in 2006.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Letter dated April 22, 2014 from William's Wings Foundation
2. Proposed Project Plans and Sketches
3. PowerPoint Presentation to Park and Recreation Commission, April 22, 2014
4. William's Wings Foundation Letter
Todd and Misty Luecke, William's Wings Foundation
g: \park \th \williams wings foundation \prc memo 5- 28- 14.docx
Todd & Misty Luecke
William's Wings Foundation
8788 Bellevue Ct.
Chanhassen, MN 55317
April 22, 2014
City of Chanhassen
Park & Recreation Commission
7700 Market Boulevard
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Dear City of Chanhassen:
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WILLIAM'S WINGS
In 2011, 483 kids age 14 and under passed away in MNili. In 2012 our son, William Douglas Luecke passed away while
at an in -home daycare located in Chanhassen. In his memory we established the William's Wings Foundation in 2013
in order to provide help, healing & comfort to other families suffering the loss of a child. This is our way of "paying it
forward" for all the help and guidance we received during our mourning.
On behalf of the William's Wings Foundation, we are proposing a donation to the City of Chanhassen of an Angel of
Hope statue. There are nearly 150 Angel of Hope statues located world -wide, mostly in the US. The Christmas Box
Angel Statue was introduced to the world in the book The Christmas Box, a worldwide bestseller and hit television
movie by author Richard Paul Evans. In the book, a woman mourns the loss of her child at the base of an angel
monument. The monuments serve as a place for all families suffering the loss of a child to mourn and to place a
white flower in remembrance. Annually, there is a remembrance vigil on the 6th of December at 7pm at all locations.
Funding for this project would be donated by William's Wings Foundation, which has already been secured. Upon
approval, the foundation would continue to work with Damon Farber Associates on final design renderings. Once
designs are complete the foundation will work with necessary companies to make this concept a reality. Construction
of the monument would be scheduled to take place at some time during July — September, lasting 2 — 4 weeks from
start to finish. Dedication would be planned for fall, 2014.
City of Chanhassen considerations should include ongoing support for this project through regular, light maintenance.
Mowing would be requested, but limited to area directly surrounding the statue. Snow removal of paths would be
requested during typical snow removal of city paths. Prior to annual vigil on the 6th of December, additional snow
removal may be requested in order to host modest crowd. During annual vigil additional lighting and sound would be
necessary. Access to needed equipment can be discussed further.
Please receive this letter as a proposal by William's Wings Foundation to donate and Angel of Hope statue to the City
of Chanhassen. We feel like this will be a great addition to the city and that it will support local families in a positive
way after unfortunate circumstances. We are scheduled and look forward to present this information in greater
detail during the monthly Park & Recreation Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 22 "d
Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
On behalf of William's Wings Foundation,
Todd & Misty Luecke
President & Board Member
1— Data from MN Health Statistics Annual Summary — 2011
LAN (3 -7 -14)
6' -2"
AOH -1 (3 -7 -14)
Angel of Hope for Chanhassen
... and all local families sufferyn¢ the
loss of a child.
2!/
WILLIAM'S LLIAM'S WINGS
Agenda
• Our Story
• Angel of Hope Statue
• Plans for a statue for Chanhassen
— Design plans
— Upkeep & City expectations
• Why support this?
2--
WILLIAM'S WINGS
0
0
Our Story
William Douglas Luecke
6/10/11— 2127112
William's Wings Foundation
Established January 2013 to provide help, healing and hopefully smiles again
for families suffering the loss of a child.
.0
WILLIAM'S WINGS
Angel of Hope Statue
• What is the Angel of Hope Statue?
• Design Plans at Santa Vera Dr. site
— Overhead of site map
—Angel of Hope rendering
• Funding
• Timeline
9--p
WILLIAM'S WINGS
Ongoing Care
• William's Wings Foundation
— Organization and carry out annual vigil on 12/6
• Assistance from the city TBD
— Annual spring clean -up of area
— Remembrance brick dedications (potential)
— Flower care with local garden club or business (potential)
• City of Chanhassen
— Limited mowing directly around monument
— Regular snow removal of paths
• Potential for additional snow removal for annual vigil on 12/6
— Regular light maintenance of site area
UM
WILLIAM'S WINGS
Why should you support?
Support for local families suffering the loss of
a child
Great addition to the Chanhassen community
• Attract others to Chanhassen
• THANK YOU!
• Q &A?
9-P
WILLIAM'S WINGS
William's Wings Foundation
8788 Bellevue Ct.
Chanhassen, MN 55317
http: / /williamswings.org
William's Wings Foundation
8788 Bellevue Ct. Chanhassen, MN 55317
MUM
WILLIAth`S VIINGS
June 10th, 2011 was the most happy and proudest days of our lives. Our beautiful son and
first born William Douglas Luecke arrived at 6:18PM. We knew William was perfect from
the beginning! On Monday February 27th, 2011 we received a call that changed our lives
forever. William had passed away that afternoon during his nap. Both of us were in
absolute disbelief. How could our happy, outgoing, perfectly healthy boy simply pass away
during his nap? Medical professionals claimed it to be Sudden Unexplained Infant Death.
We knew that we cared for William with absolute confidence in every way, We gave him
everything we could during his unfairly shortened life.
to cherish
We lived an active life before being blessed with
William, and remained busy even after he was born.
Despite only 8 1/2 months of life, it was filled with
so many great moments. Some of the things William
enjoyed in his short life included being baptized and
going to church as a family, eating out, visiting
friends, traveling on an airplane, tailgating and swim
lessons. We're not sure if William was the lucky one,
or if it's us for having all of these wonderful memories
We have thanked God so many times for what we were blessed with.
William brought so much joy to everyone's lives. His smile was unforgettable! Every time
we think about him smiling we smile a little bit ourselves, usually followed by a tear. From
the time William passed away we have been left with a tremendous hole in our lives that will
never be replaced or repaired by anything. William was loved unconditionally every single
day of his shortened life, and we continue to love him dearly while in heaven.
As a way to honor William and create something special in his name we created William's
Wings Foundation. The purpose of this foundation is:
• to provide hope, healing, help and hopefully smiles again to families grieving the loss
of a child for any reason;
• to purchase a Christmas Box Angel Statue and erect a monument to serve as a
beacon of hope and remembrance for families who have lost a child;
to provide financial support to recognized Section 501(c)(3) organizations who
conduct research, education, and informational activities related to sudden
unexpected infant deaths;
to provide financial support to recognized Section 501(c)(3) organizations who
provide support and encouragement to families grieving the death of an infant or
young child; and
to advocate for the health and survival of all children.
William taught us so much in his short life like how to love life to the fullest, not to take a
single day for granted, and to laugh often. He taught us that being a parent is the great joy
in the world and we are so thankful we have been given the chance to experience it again
with our 2nd child due this April.
Important Information:
• Please visit our website: www.williamswings.org
• EIN# 46- 1773609
® William's Wings Foundation is in the process of being recognized as a 501(c)(3)
organization.
We appreciate any donation you feel comfortable to support William's Wings Foundation in
memory of our first son.
n great appreciation,
Todd & Misty Luecke
on behalf of the William's Wings Foundation