Feature Article April 24, 2002
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Hinchinbrooke students raise $500 being penny wiseby Jeff GreenLate last week a man was interviewed on CBC radio who advocated the abolition of the penny, calling it a worthless coin, a "nuisance that just wears out people's pockets." Maybe that man should pass all his coins over to the Hinchinbrooke Public School Playground Committee. They've had a bit of experience rolling pennies, having rolled up 50,000 recently.
The
committee placed jars in each of the school's classrooms, and
encouraged students to gather pennies from their families and bring
them in. The first class to raise $200 was promised a Pizza party. The
whole school took to the idea, and as of now $500 has been raised
towards the School Playground Project. The penny drive will continue
till the end of the school year
The project has a more ambitious goal, hoping to raise $25,000 for a unit made by the Hudson Playground Company. Incredibly, after just over two months, $5,000 has already been raised, and the list of planned fundraising events in the near future just keeps growing.
While the "Limestone District School Board (LDSB) has been very supportive of this campaign, they don't have money for new playground equipment," according to Playground Committee treasurer Sue Gemmil.
The project originally came about as a result of an audit of playground equipment the board has recently completed. According to LDSB board member Ann Goodfellow, "New regulations have come in place provincially, and we thought we should look at the entire stock of equipment at all the schools in the board to see which equipment did not conform to the stringent new standards".
The school board is responsible for playgrounds, and where possible will fund the upgrades, but, says Ann Goodfellow, "we don't have the kind of money needed to greatly improve playgrounds. That's where the Hinchinbrooke committee has come in."
The Hinchinbrooke Public School Council formed a Playground subcommittee to oversee the playground project, and a strong group of parents has come forward. While it may take up to two years to complete the fundraising drive, the students won't have to wait. The committee has attained bridge financing and is hoping the "new playground structure will be to be put in place by the end of school year, or in September at the latest," according to committee member Deirdriere Kennedy.
Fundraising events that have already taken place include: a sale of Blue Spruce Seedlings, 1400 were sold, a sale of bedding plants, a sale of Chocolate covered Almonds, a Volley ball tournament, and a very successful mail campaign to local and regional business "who were very generous with their donations", says Sue Gemmill.
Upcoming fundraising events include: Another Volleyball Tournament on April 28, a Toonie Dance on May 3rd all to be held at Hinchinbrooke school.
On May 25, a Car Wash day will be held at the Parham Ambulance Base, and at the old Verona Motors building in downtown Verona. Other fundraising events are planned for June and beyond. Once the playground renovations are completed and paid for, the committee is thinking about future projects, including constructing a gazebo on the school grounds to serve as an outdoor classroom, and as a location for graduation ceremonies.
