An anonymous donor has contributed $25,000 toward a proposed playground and outdoor recreational area for senior citizens and people with special needs.
Special Blessings, the ministry outreach group of Locus Benedictus serving families who have special-needs children and adults, received the gift earlier this year, said Charlotte Dale, the ministry’s director.
That money, along with other donations and proceeds from fundraisers, will go toward purchasing playground equipment and adding a walking trail, Dale said. A donation last year from the Crown Club, an offshoot of the Greenwood chapter of the Junior Auxiliary, has been used to purchase a friendship swing for the playground.
Volunteers are also helping with research for possible grants and preparing the land for the playground, which will be outside the entrance of the Locus Benedictus retreat center, Dale said.
Special Blessings was formed in 2017 with a focus on serving those with special needs.
Dottie Pernell, a Greenwood chiropractor who died in 2020, was instrumental in the ministry’s founding.
Beth Stuckey, a veteran member of the ministry’s board, said an outdoor area designated for the elderly with low-impact exercise equipment was also needed in the community, Dale said.
Currently, there is no such outdoor offering for the elderly or those with special needs.
“It is needed because it will enhance our children’s motor and physical and social skills and general well-being of getting outside and playing and just having fun with something they can do,” Dale said. “And, of course, there’s no place in Greenwood that has an outdoor senior exercise area.”
Dale said the playground will be for everyone but emphasized that much more must be done to complete the project.
“We’re just excited we can offer this for the Greenwood community because it will be open to all families,” she said.
Those who would like to make a donation to the project or to learn more information can contact Dale by email at charlottepdale71@gmail
.com or visit Locus Benedictus’ website, locusbenedictus.org.
- Contact Gerard Edic at 662-581-7239 or gedic@gwcommonwealth.com.
