Progress on one of the centerpieces of Eudora’s 150th anniversary celebration is coming in ahead of schedule.

That’s because a commemorative brick drive and a seven-month series of fundraisers helped supporters net more than half of the money needed to pay for a $58,000 bronze statue of the town’s namesake – part of a $75,000 commemorative project.

“I think we’re at about 80 percent,” Eudora Lions Club member Tom Tucker said.

The city and Eudora Lions Club are raising the total $75,000 needed for the project. The city of Eudora provided the initial $14,500 down payment.

So far, the Lions Club has sold 230 bricks, 20 short of its goal of 250, Tucker said. For every brick sold, the Lions Club donates $10.

“I think it’s very easily within reach,” Tucker said.

On Feb. 1, the price of the bricks will increase from $50 to $55, he said.

“We’re kind of trying to get people aware,” Tucker said. “We’re trying to hold costs down as much as we can, but we will need to bring it up to $55 by that date.”

Tucker’s fellow Lions Club members are asking the public to buy bricks to pay homage to Eudora’s history.

The other major financial boost was from a series of fundraisers from May to December of last year. The events included a bike run, country music concert and a holiday home tour.

The community events raised $15,479. Funds from the city will supplement money generated by the community.

The financial progress comes in addition to progress on the statue itself.

Lawrence artist Jim Brothers works on his statue of the town of Eudora's founder, Paschal Fish, embracing his daughter, Eudora, on Friday. The 8-foot-tall clay form will be dipped in bronze and unveiled at the EudoraFest celebration in October.

Lawrence artist Jim Brothers is adding final details in clay to an 8-foot-tall foam form of the piece before it’s shipped to a foundry to be dipped in bronze.

The statue depicts the town’s founder, Paschal Fish, embracing his daughter, Eudora, when she was about 9. The statue is set to be unveiled during the city’s EudoraFest celebration in October.

Between now and then, the fundraising will shift slightly, Tucker said.

“We’re trying to focus our fundraising activities on people who want to be honor donors,” Tucker said.

Honor donors are patrons who donate $250 or more to the project, Tucker said.

Those who become honor donors will have their name on a brass plaque at the base of the statue, Tucker said.

In addition to cash donations and brick sales, supporters are writing a grant application for money from the county.

The city is working with BG Consultants to plan the eventual site for Brothers’ statue, which will be in CPA Park across from the police station.

“There’s going to be a lot of effort that’s going to be put into that,” Tucker said.

To buy a brick or become an honor donor, contact the City of Eudora at (785) 542-2153.