The family chose to go to Ecuador this December to help build gardens in a remote mountain village, but Garrett's disappearance has led to a change in plans. The project will now focus on building "The Garrett Bardsley Memorial School," if the family can raise the necessary funds.

As of Thursday evening, Spanish Fork Middle school has raised $1,600 toward the $7,000 goal. Other fund-raising opportunities involving the Garrett Bardsley Foundation include bracelets, similar to the Lance Armstrong "Livestrong" bracelets, which the family is selling for $1 each. The bracelets can be found at local businesses in Spanish Fork, or purchased through the Bardsley's Web site, www.findinggarrett.org.

According to Engage Now, a service organization coordinating the project, the school will cost between $10,000-$12,000. With the more than 50 people who will be going on the trip, representatives from Engage Now estimate the school will take eight days to build and will include three rooms, 250 desks, blackboards, a playground, memorial plaque and the requisite maps and globes.

"It's an honorable cause," said Ben Snarr, development manager for Engage Now. "It's going to perpetuate education worldwide. People can donate flowers and food, but that stuff just comes and goes. We're going to build a school in his name where literally hundreds, if not thousands, of kids can receive an education and hopefully move on to bigger and better things."

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E-mail: achoate@desnews.com