The Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA) has launched a fund-raising campaign to help complete the Columbine Memorial that is already under construction but, according to their official web-site, remains about $160,000 short of its required funding.

"The tragedy at Virginia Tech and the inevitable rekindling of sad memories of our own tragedy, remind us that we have unfinished business here at home: the completion of the Columbine Memorial," said Nancy Henderson, JCEA President.

Henderson explained that JCEA will request contributions from Jeffco teachers during the week of April 23; the one-year anniversary of the memorial's ground breaking is April 25.

"When senseless, human tragedy strikes, it helps if people can channel their anxiety and concern in some positive, constructive direction. We hope that by encouraging renewed efforts to complete the Columbine Memorial, we can contribute in a positive way to the ongoing process of healing in our community," Henderson said.

Henderson is a math teacher currently on leave from Ralston Valley High School. JCEA, affiliated with Colorado Education Association and the National Education Association, represents over 5,000 teachers in the Jeffco Public Schools, the state's largest school district.

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