Pupils raise funds for new playground

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The goal is to raise $25,000 for new equipment.

HUBBARD — Pupils at St. Patrick’s School here are willing to pay to play — and work to help raise enough money for playground equipment.

Pupils, teachers and faculty at the school are engaged in an ongoing fund-raising campaign.

Joan Humphrey, school nurse and head of the efforts, said the goal is to raise about $25,000 for the equipment. With the campaign little more than a month underway, pupils and faculty have raised about $4,000.

Anyone who visits the school during the recess hour can see why the playground equipment is so important.

The parking lot behind the building is where pupils spend recess. In the afternoon, parents park in the same space to pick up their children.

Humphrey said pupils in various grade levels are given a section of the parking area in which to play. She said adding a sufficient amount of play equipment would give the younger kids something more to do and create space and a recreation area for the older kids.

“We really want to try to have something for everyone. That is our goal in trying to get the playground equipment,” said Humphrey.

The school has what might appear to be playground equipment, but Humphrey said the seven stations on the grounds are a workout area through Project Fit America designed to enhance kids’ overall strength and cardiovascular fitness. The area is not meant for playing.

Humphrey said the planned playground equipment would be situated in a grassy area adjacent to the fitness area and serve an entirely different purpose.

“Children need to play. What we have now is a cardiovascular workout, a physical fitness effort. The play area is going to allow kids to play and be also be creative in their play,” she said. “Play matters in the life of a child.”

The play area will include a climbing wall, monkey bars, sliding boards, stair climbs, a drumming wall and various play stations. Humphrey said the area will be suitable for all ages.

“The overall goal is to keep the kids moving, but we also tried to incorporate something for the older kids,” she said.

All of the pupils are joining in on the fund-raising efforts.

According to Humphrey, one pupil brought the employer of a family member to the school to see the blacktopped play area and explain the situation. That pupil’s efforts garnered a $1,000 donation.

Principal Rita Gontaruk said she applauds the efforts of the pupils and the staff.

“The kids are extremely happy about finally having a playground. They are really pushing their parents to do different things to help,” she said.

The school has so far received an additional $1,000 donation and another $200 donation. Funds were raised at a recent luncheon, and gift baskets and other prizes will be raffled off in a contest starting this week.

Those interested in donating or participating in the raffle can contact Humphrey at the school.

Humphrey said the need for a playground is something to which most people can relate.

“When we reflect back on our own childhood, a big part of it is memories from playing on a playground. These kids need that,” she said.