The month-long blitz by McDonald’s to generate needed funding for a one-of-a-kind bronze tiger sculpture by renowned artist Bob Tommey has come to an end.

Approximately $2,258 was generated by donations with the paper paws and an additional $3,385 was generated through the sales of Big Mac value meals.

The amount from the two Carthage McDonald’s restaurants totaled $5,643.

“We think this bronze tiger will be the centerpiece and a focal point and something that the community can look at and represent Carthage pride,” said Joe Coss, owner of the two McDonald’s restaurants in Carthage — at 2816 Hazel St. and 1111 W. Central Ave.

Some of the paper paws, created and donated to Coss by Fast Copy, were unused. Coss said they could re-start a second promotion once school is back in session, “maybe with a different little twist to it.”

Said fellow Carthage artist Sandra Higgins, who is helping spearhead the bronzing of Tommey’s tiger sculpture, “Bob Tommey and I are so thankful for everyone who supported the McDonald’s fundraiser for the Carthage Tiger. It is truly a tribute to McDonald’s and all the community who contributed to this generous offer… for their commitment to Carthage to have such a wonderful landmark for the Carthage High School.”

The cost of the model’s construction is $15,000 and the bronze casting would be an additional $40,000. That also includes the cost of materials, transportation and final installation at the school site. Once the $55,000 is raised, the six-by-seven-foot Carthage Tiger sculpture would be taken to a Texas-based foundry, and then transported back to Carthage, freshly bronzed. Tommey estimated it would take three months to complete the process once the bronzers receive his highly detailed wax mold.

Fellow local artist Sandra Higgins praised Coss and his locally owned McDonald’s restaurants for stepping up and putting their weight behind this unique project.

“This is a project that represents the entire community,” Higgins said.

The tiger sculpture would almost instantaneously become a Carthage landmark, she added.

Earlier this month, the R-9 school district revealed plans showing Tommey’s beautiful sculpture as the centerpiece of the proposed “Campus Green” area, to be located near the high school.