Two years ago, a group of folks with a soft spot in their heart for Brownsville School came together to form Brownsville School Foundation, Inc. With a $90,000 fundraising goal and a mission of building a safe, engaging environment for the children of Brownsville School to learn and play, they set out with the dream of replacing the playground equipment. Lacey Harms, a board member for the organization entertained the Carmi Kiwanis Club Thursday afternoon with a progress update.
Because Brownsville serves students with special needs, they need unique playground equipment and it was time for an upgrade. Hand in hand with that, the location of the play area was in a low spot that regularly flooded following a deluge and would leave the area unsafe for children until it dried. The organization has benefitted from some grants through civic clubs like the Elks, but also relies heavily on community support to meet their goals.
At the end of June, Brownsville School Foundation had reached $57,760.73 towards their goal and recently made a purchase of $30,000 worth of playground equipment. Hopes are to have another work day in the next couple of weeks and with any luck to have more ready before kids return to school in late August.
Stay tuned to WROY/WRUL Media for updates on potential work days where you can assist. If you’d like to support the organization, you can also sign up with Friends of Brownsville School Foundation. For a $25 annual fee, you’ll receive a car decal. For $50, you’ll get a decal and a t-shirt. Pam Dieg serves as President; Mallory Stendeback represents the organization as Secretary; Jonathan Farmer is Treasurer. Additional board members include Harms, Patrick Haskell, and Jeremy Pretzsch among others. Learn more on the group’s facebook page by searching for Brownsville School Foundation, Incorporated.
