The collective dream of a playground at Leflore County Elementary School is fast becoming a reality with a $2,000 check from the Junior Auxiliary of Greenwood.
The check, presented Tuesday, puts the planned $40,000 playground over the top in terms of required local funding.
“It’s been a long ride, but it’s been really good,” said Zaia Thombre, the fourth-grade teacher who secured the initial $15,000 grant from KaBOOM!, a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide children with play spaces across America.
“We’re glad that we could help make this playground a reality for the children of Leflore County,” said Katie Mills, president of the auxiliary.
Thombre said local donations — aided by a single $11,000 contribution from Dr. V.K. Chawla — have raised the necessary $25,000 local match.
Thombre said other individuals and businesses have contributed, and Itta Bena churches each donated $100. In addition, the school held movie nights and dances to help raise additional funds for the playground.
Thombre said two “build days” are scheduled for mid-May.
The first, on May 17, will involve laying the playground’s foundation. The second, on May 18, will be a daylong affair in which the playground will actually be built.
“We’re hoping for around 200 volunteers,” Thombre said.
Volunteers may call Thombre at (419) 277-5678 or the school’s office at 254-6225. They also may volunteer online by going to www.ourdreamplayground.org/lefloretigers.
Thombre said the children deserve the playground.
“At the end of the day, it’s not going to be the grant that gave us the playground. It’s going to be the people of the community that gave it to us and built it from scratch,” she said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
