HOW DO YOU MAKE AN AMAZING PLAYGROUND?
Start with a dream. Add in three grants and three volunteer groups. Work hard for fifteen months on four fundraisers. Add it all together with a lot of work and you get one amazing playground with 450 smiling West Elementary students.
Mrs. Garrett, the principal at West Elementary School, presented a dream of new playground equipment to the West Elementary PTO. New equipment was needed for students with special needs. Students with autism need to spin and do compressions which was not possible on the current playground equipment.
The West Elementary PTO immediately embraced the idea and agreed to contribute half of all fundraiser profits to the purchase of new playground equipment. As the equipment was bought, the PTO assisted with the installation as well as the purchase of concrete and gravel. The Lancaster Maintenance Department assisted greatly in the digging of many difficult holes.
In addition to the fundraisers, West Elementary received three grants for the purchase of this equipment for special needs students. The Walmart Foundation contributed $2000.00. The Fairfield County Foundation donated $5000.00. Likewise, the Lancaster Public Education Foundation also donated $500.00 to the worthwhile cause. Without these grants, the fundraiser efforts by the students and the PTO would be ongoing for several more years. These donations were very much appreciated.
Once the equipment at a cost of almost $20,000 was purchased, the work began. The first pieces were installed in April of this year with the assistance of The Second Saturday volunteers from the First United Methodist Church. As the rest of the money was raised and the remaining equipment was purchased, another work day was needed in the fall of this year. The Lancaster Vineyard Church sent the volunteers to assist the West PTO this time. The job could not have been completed without each group’s assistance.
The results are priceless. Four hundred and fifty students are smiling at West Elementary School every day during recess. Thanks to everyone who made this dream possible.
For more information or questions please contact Terri Garrett, principal of West Elementary School at t_garrett@lancaster.k12.oh.us or at 740-687-7332