Lisette's Bench: A Tribute from Us

From Cheri:

Lisette’s Bench Project—Pls Keep Secret!!!

What: A Memorial Bench in honor of Lisette Pfaffenberger’s 12 ½ years of life

Why: Need to raise money to fund this worthy project

Who: Everyone who was ever touched by Lisette and/or her family and wants to show support and how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in all of our lives!!!!

When: Planned bench dedication March 31, 2025—this would have been Lisette’s 13th birthday – exact time of dedication TBD

Where: The “Triangle” at Saratoga Drive and Ridge Road NOTE: The city claims that they do not own the “triangle” and it has been maintained by neighbors and neighborhood contributions for decades. However, I am in the process of notifying Mayor Greenberg’s office of our intent to proceed with this project in Lisette’s memory.

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Louisville sculptor, Matt Weir, who grew up on Saratoga Drive is the artisan who will create “Lisette's Bench”. Matt is an amazing artist who does a lot of bronze and stone sculpting. He met with me yesterday to look at the bench location and is planning to use Bedford limestone for this project. Matt said limestone is more easily sculpted and customized than granite yet durable. Should Elsabe and Analies like this idea and want to move forward with the project, Matt will meet with them right after Christmas to start working on the bench design with their input. As a starting concept, he is thinking about two arc shaped benches facing each other but final design will be approved by the family and depend on the total amount of money raised. Lisette’s Bench will be a place for community conversations and getting to know one another and the shoes they walk in which is a fitting tribute to Lisette Pfaffenberger’s deep empathy.

Please contribute:

GoFundMe ( Eileen Fauver)

Monthly summaries from Park Community Credit Union for the Lisette’s Bench account will be available for all donors to review at a Dropbox that is being set up.

Project budget goal:

As of 12/18/24, pledges ranging from $20 to $500 from neighbors on Saratoga Drive, Ridge Road, and Valley Vista AND Lakeside Quarry Gator families totaling $4K have been received. We are now aiming for $11K which would cover two benches (IF that is the concept the family approves), but the project will move forward with a modified design scope with whatever donations are received. We are also seeking landscaping donations from a few neighborhood nurseries to make sure that Lisette’s bench will be in a beautiful setting. The goal is to have a memorial bench created by a seasoned artist in Lisette’s honor that is tasteful, meaningful and that blends into the “triangle” in our amazing neighborhood.

Donation timeline:

We will need to have about $4K in the account before the end of January 2025 to make payment to the artist. Donations will be gratefully accepted until the end of March.

If you want your name to be included on the donor list that will be included in the present that Elsabe and Ani will open on Christmas Day, please send me your pledge by December 23rd. No amounts will be included on the donor list.

Thank you for your consideration and support!

Cheri Hildreth

(Elsabe’s Neighbor)