It has been many years since the community came together in such an incredible show of support and determination. The vision, a playground, seven years in the making.
In fact, the playground, coming in at $78,000, was raised entirely within the community with established businesses, organizations, bake sales, fundraising nights, private donations and even children’s allowances and earnings going into the fund.
“It was an amazing feeling, to watch not just the large donations from businesses come in, but the smaller donations from children and parents who supported the cause, bought a raffle ticket or attended a fundraiser,” said Diana Gilbert, Silver Creek PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) president for the past eight years.
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The PAC started fundraising for the playground seven years ago, applied to large outside organizations and even hired a grant writer to bring it to fruition.
“We were not successful in getting a single grant,” said Gilbert. “I think this playground was meant to be the community’s playground, it embodies the motto that it takes a community to raise a child.”
The Playground also spurred on support for an aging tennis court, now resurfaced and with new netting, as well as an outdoor classroom. “We took the momentum of a PAC that was driven and a community that believed in us, and rolled with it,” said Gilbert.
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The days leading up to the build the event was posted on social media, calling for volunteers to help in its assembly with unloading on Friday night, and the build on Saturday. “It was wet and cold, but it was a great turnout and the volunteers persevered,” said Bruce Becker, principal of Silver Creek Elementary School. “The children are excited to see it built.”
The playground was opened to the children on Oct. 5. A thank you dinner and recognition for donors as part of a PAC pub night fundraiser will be held Nov. 2.
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“There were definitely periods of ups and downs, highs and lows, but we would look at the chart, and see how far we had come and it kept us going,” said Gilbert. “This playground would not be here today if it was not for our community.”
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