LET’S PLAY: Lakeshore School Launches Fundraiser for New Playground
E.C. elementary’s PTO launches campaign to update 28-year-old playground
Carlee Shimek, photos by Megan Zabel Holmes |
The Lakeshore Elementary School community has banded together to promote funding for a new playground at the Eau Claire school. Micah and Genevieve Davis, parents of kindergartener Isaiah, created a video of the outdated playground and interviewed students to promote the Lakeshore PTO’s campaign to raise $190,00 to upgrade the equipment.
The campaign will fund replacing a broken slide and 0ther equipment that has worn down over 28 years since the playground was built in 1996. It will also upgrade swings to make them ADA accessible. “The kids at Lakeshore Elementary School need and deserve a high-quality space to play and experience the outdoors,” said Robin Miller, president of the Lakeshore PTO.
“Safety and accessibility practices have advanced considerably since 1996,” the precocious Isaiah says in the video. “The average playground life expectancy is eight to 10 years.”
Folks can donate to the cause online at givebutter.com. An anonymous donor has agreed to donate $15,000 if a matched $15,000 is raised by May 8. Donations through mail to Lakeshore Elementary are also accepted.
“56% of students at Lakeshore are affected by poverty,” Isaiah says in the video. “It’s time to modernize Lakeshore’s playground for a new generation of Eau Claire children.”
Lakeshore is hard at work soliciting gifts from local businesses, banks, and organizations. The PTO hopes to raise the total funds by the end of 2025. If enough funds – about $100,000 – are raised by the fall of 2024, upgrades can begin even sooner.
“A new playground brings a sense of dignity and respect for the children of the Lakeshore area,” said Micah, videographer at Soul Shine Creative Studio, which is behind the incredible Lakeshore video. “This is an opportunity to help improve the physical and mental health of a largely disadvantaged neighborhood. Donating transforms the smiles and laughter of Eau Claire children.”
You can learn more about the Lakeshore Playground Campaign at givebutter.com/letsplay.
