Ribbon-cutting today at Taft Elementary's renovated playground

YOUNGSTOWN

More than books, pencils and lessons will greet Taft Elementary School students when they return to class Aug. 22.

United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Kiwanis Club of Youngstown and Taft Promise Neighborhood worked together to revamp equipment that already was on the school playground and add a new piece that includes slides, a climbing wall and other apparatuses.

The Kiwanis Club contributed $10,000 for the playground, and $4,000 of that came from the Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation.

“The Kiwanis reached out to United Way to see if they could help with something that was for kids,” said Bob Hannon, president of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

The donation coincided with Kiwanis’ 100th anniversary.

Representatives from the various organizations cut a ceremonial ribbon Tuesday afternoon at the playground, but neighborhood kids already are using it.

Read more about the project in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.