Not only do they want their donations to clean and repair Avondale's vandalized Lincoln monument, they want to restore the rest of Cincinnati Public Schools' treasures. These long-neglected works of art can be saved by contributions to a tax-deductible fund.

The 102-year-old landmark topped by a bronze likeness of Lincoln is in a sorry state. Citizen Pat Parlato raised a fuss over the gang graffiti marring the monument's granite base.

Markers also defaced the bronze statue of Liberty kneeling at Lincoln's feet. Liberty's right arm also bears a gash where someone tried to amputate the metal limb.

Public response to an Oct. 10 Enquirer article "has been very gratifying," said Mike Burson, Cincinnati Public Schools director of facilities. The monument belongs to the school system and stands on the grounds of South Avondale Elementary.

"We have enough pledges to cover the cost of the cleaning," Burson said. Cost to remove the graffiti: $1,251. Weather permitting, the work will be done this weekend by Hummel Restoration. The St. Bernard firm is not charging overtime for weekend work.

The school system has also received more than enough pledges to have the gash on Liberty's right arm repaired by McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory. The Oberlin, Ohio, firm has worked on the monument and Cincinnati's best-known outdoor art, the Tyler Davidson Fountain.

Additional money donated will go into the newly established Restoration Fund of the Student Activity Foundation.

The foundation is 4 months old.

The Restoration Fund came to life this week.

The foundation is dedicated to helping Cincinnati Public School students by raising money for extracurricular activities such as marching bands, chess clubs and baseball teams. While associated with Cincinnati Public, it is a separate entity.

The Restoration Fund, said foundation executive director Brian Leshner, "is a restricted fund."

That means its contents can be used only for restoring works of art in the school system.

Leshner noted that donors can earmark their contribution to specific projects.

For instance, contributions can go to cleaning and maintaining the statue of William Woodward outside Woodward High School. Or people can direct that their donation be used to restore the bronze medallions on the base of the flagpole outside Cheviot School.

"We are going to survey all of the schools," Leshner said, "to assemble a wish list of all of the art works that need to be restored."

He is open to suggestions. Like Lincoln, Leshner is a great believer in government of, by and for the people.

Donations to the Restoration Fund may be sent to Restoration Fund, Student Activity Foundation, 2651 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati 45219. For information, e-mail btleshner@studentactivityfoundation.org or call (513) 363-0414. All donations are tax-deductible.

E-mail cradel@enquirer.com