Pennies for Pearl Harbor efforts in Gurnee extended

Efforts by high school students and others in Gurnee to raise money for a new Pearl Harbor museum and visitors center are being extended.

Fundraising began late last month and was scheduled to end Dec. 7, on Pearl Harbor Day.

However, Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said organizers agreed the money raising efforts will continue at least through Friday. Some of the cash has been dropped in collection boxes at Gurnee businesses.

Schools across the United States have been asked to participate in what's called the "Pennies for Pearl Harbor" campaign. Gurnee is one of the few Illinois towns to be part of the effort that began roughly three years ago.

Gurnee Community Bank on Old Grand Avenue at O'Plaine Road is offering free use of a coin machine for those who wish to contribute there. Bank President Brad Nickerson said visitors receive a receipt from the device and then must bring it to a teller so the coins are credited to the Pearl Harbor account.

Uneven settling of the USS Arizona's visitors center building and museum in Hawaii, as well as water intrusion, might cause its closure within two years. The public and private sectors are being asked to help fund the new Pearl Harbor structure.