Gemini Giant GoFundMe: Community Comes Together to Save a Treasure

The Gemini Giant is a beloved roadside attraction in Illinois that's been a staple for locals and travelers alike. It's a 38-foot-tall statue of a spaceman, complete with a giant smile and a sense of wonder.

Built in 1966, the Gemini Giant has been a source of pride for the community, attracting visitors from far and wide. However, like many roadside attractions, it's faced financial struggles in recent years.

In 2020, the Gemini Giant's owner, Mike Hoskins, launched a GoFundMe campaign to save the statue from demolition. The goal was to raise $150,000 to cover restoration costs and keep the Gemini Giant standing for years to come.

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A group of locals in Wilmington, Illinois, is working together to save the Gemini Giant, a 30-foot fiberglass statue that has stood along Route 66 for nearly six decades.

Ryan Jandura, a Wilmington resident, has started a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy the statue and keep it in the area. He's aiming to raise $100,000 to match the opening bid price.

The statue's owner is putting it up for auction on March 20, and Jandura is trying to rally the community to save it. He believes that making a replica wouldn't be the same as keeping the original statue.

So far, Jandura has raised over $7,000, but the high bid on the auction is currently at $45,000. It's anyone's guess who's bidding on it.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Malcolm J. Mayo Post 5422 in Wilmington has joined Jandura's efforts to buy the statue and keep it in town. This adds more momentum to the campaign to save the Gemini Giant.

The Gemini Giant is a beloved landmark in Wilmington, and many people are eager to see it stay in its current location. The statue is an attraction for travelers along the old Route 66 path, and its history and significance are deeply tied to the community.

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Ryan Jandura's GoFundMe campaign to save the Gemini Giant has taken off, with 25 donations collected in just one day, raising $1,130.

Jandura has lived in Wilmington for 14 years and has a personal connection to the statue, having visited it with his family as a child.

The auction for the Gemini Giant is set to end on March 20, with bids starting at $100,000.

Jandura has experience raising money for individuals and organizations, including helping the current owner of the Launching Pad raise funds by creating Route 66 jewelry.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Malcolm J. Mayo Post 5422 in Wilmington has joined Jandura's efforts to buy the Gemini Giant and keep it in town.

As of mid-afternoon on Friday, Jandura had raised $7,244, but the high bid listed on Grafe Auction was $45,000.

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