Walnutport has received some financial support in its mission to dress up its veterans memorial.

Borough council received two donations Thursday that totaled $3,000 toward the memorial located in the small park between Washington and Fifth streets.

The checks were bestowed to council by Ricky Smith, of Diamond Fire Co., in the amount of $2,000, and Patty Smith, of the Diamond Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, for $1,000.

Council President William Turk expressed council’s gratitude for the donations.

“It makes things a little easier,” Turk said.

The donations came after council agreed last month to solicit sponsorships to send out for donations to businesses.

Also at that time, council agreed to create a separate account for the donations that are received.

Councilwoman Jennifer Wentz said that the Centennial Committee provided a signed letter to council.

Several members of the 2009 Centennial Committee attended a council meeting in April to discuss the use of about $11,000 that was set aside in the Centennial fund for improvements to the memorial.

Committee member Doneta Merkle told council at that time the wish of the Centennial Committee is for those funds to be used toward the memorial.

The project has to be completed by December per the grant deadline.

Michael Kukitz, who served as executive director of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority until he resigned in March, previously obtained a grant for the veterans memorial.

The grant amount is $23,983, and was funded by a grant through the Northampton County Livable Landscapes Program, Northampton County’s Open Space Initiative.

However, it is a matching grant, and the borough has to provide the other 50%. The match may be cash, in-kind services or a combination of both.

It was agreed that the borough’s 50% would come through a combination of the roughly $11,000 left in the Centennial fund, along with in-kind services and/or volunteer services.

Kukitz previously said the grant is to be used for beautification and accessibility improvements.

The work will include the removal of trees and putting in new decorative trees, flagpoles, benches, lighting and improved access to the memorial.