Alex Craig’s fundraising project to honor NASA Chief Engineer Milton Silveira has taken off. In January, the Mattapoisett elementary school student asked Selectmen to support his idea to honor Silveira with a plaque at Ned’s Point.

Silveira, a former resident of Mattapoisett who passed away in July 2013, was an aerospace engineer involved in the space shuttle programs of Apollo, Mercury and Gemini.

Alex contacted Silveira for a school report, and after his death, Silveira’s daughter found an email from Alex, contacted him and gave him a coin that had been in space.

She also agreed to put $1,000 towards Alex’s project.

Since January, Alex has raised all but $200 of his $3,300 goal. He met with Selectmen again on Tuesday night and said the funds will pay for a bronze plaque.

“Charlie Duponte donated a granite stone for free. He was kind for doing that,” said Silveira.

The remaining funds needed for the project are to transport the granite slab to Ned’s Point, but Selectmen said the town might be able to transport it for him.

Selectmen also lead the audience in a round of applause for Alex.

He will visit Ned’s Point with Selectmen Chair Tyler Macallister in a few weeks to chose a spot for the plaque. If anyone is interested in contributing to the project, which may eventually get a bench as well, they can send donations to 77 Aucoot Rd, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.