The sponsors’ plaque for the Wheeling Fallen Firefighter Memorial sports a large crack down the right side.

WHEELING — The plaque recognizing the sponsors of the Wheeling Fallen Firefighter Memorial has been damaged but should be repaired in time for its yearly ceremony.

The plaque — which sits a few feet in front of the memorial itself, just outside WesBanco Arena — was first noticed to have been damaged around Aug. 12, but was only reported to the fire department on Saturday, according to Wheeling firefighter Bob Heldreth.

The plaque lists the numerous sponsors responsible for the creation of the memorial itself in 2016, which is undamaged.

Heldreth said the department has received an outpouring of support, both from local residents and businesses. Angelina Stone and Marble, of Bridgeport, Ohio, which provided the stone for the memorial, offered to replace the plaque at no charge, and Nick’s Auto Sales, of Weirton, donated $1,000.

“We’ll use that to buy a couple (barriers) to put up there, so that a car can’t physically drive through there any longer,” Heldreth said. “We hope to gave it put back together by Oct. 29, which is our annual service at the memorial.”

Heldreth added that the city was looking into who, or what, could have damaged the plaque, but so far had no leads.

Jack McKeever Jr., president of Angelina Stone and Marble, said he expected to have the plaque repaired shortly.

“I talked to Bob (Tuesday) morning, told him not to sweat it, and we’d have that back together for him,” he said.

The Wheeling Fallen Firefighter Memorial honors the memory of 10 firefighters who have died in the line of duty for the city. A memorial ceremony is held in October each year.