Last February, Zephyr Pride Foundation, which raises money for Whitehall-Coplay School District students and staff in academics, athletics and the arts, kicked off a fundraiser selling personalized bricks to be installed in a walkway from the varsity locker room of the field house to the football field at the new Zephyr Stadium.

ZPF began approximately 10 years ago and has expanded in recent years. William Fonzone Sr. is currently chairman of the ZPF board, in addition to being the Whitehall-Coplay School Board vice president.

Most recently, ZPF provided three senior students with $1,000 scholarships in the areas of academics, sports and the arts. An amount of $5,000 was also awarded to WCSD faculty for their classrooms, with $1,000 each for Gockley, Steckel and Zephyr elementary schools, Whitehall-Coplay Middle School and Whitehall High School. ZPF also contributes funds to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Camp Creation Station for WCMS students.

During a construction meeting concerning the new stadium, the idea for the walkway formed as a way to raise money for ZPF.

“Zephyr Walk stands for so many of the folks who have been a part of Whitehall history - and not just athletes, but anyone who has an appreciation for the Zephs,” said Bob Hartman, WHS athletic director.

Phase one, the initial sale of the bricks, was completed June 2, and the 170 bricks sold were installed over the summer.

According to Hartman, phase two will be the second “big push,” with 700 remaining bricks to be sold. ZPF is working with fundraising company Bricks R Us in Miami, Fla., to process orders and create the engraved bricks.

Bricks cost $125 and are sized 8 inches by 8 inches, with six lines each and a maximum of 18 characters on each line. Miniature souvenir bricks, small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, also include a custom inscription and are available for $75 a piece. A third option to help ZPF is a laser-printed donor certificate printed on heavy paper with a chosen inscription on a red brick.

There is still a chance recently purchased bricks could be added to the walkway this fall, though there are no guarantees. The sale is ongoing until all of the remaining bricks are sold, and installations will occur at least once a year. Bricks are available for purchase at bricksrus.com/donorsite/zpf.