By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Fundraising is ongoing for the Russell Play Park and plenty of fundraising initiatives are planned for this summer. A local committee in Russell is hoping to raise approximately $1.5 million to replace the outdated playground at Memorial Park with more accessible equipment for individuals with disabilities to enjoy.
Kathy McAdoo is the Executive Director at The Arc of
Central Plains, an organization in Hays that brings enrichment and purpose to
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. McAdoo, who lives in
Russell, helped lead the creation of the Arc Park in Hays and is now trying to
do the same thing in Russell.
"Russell is very committed to accessible play for kids," said McAdoo. "It isn't just for kids. You're an accident away from becoming disabled, or a person breaks a leg and they're in a wheelchair for two or three months. Now they will be able to go watch and get involved in the play because the new surface will allow them to navigate. Mulch and grass aren't quite so easy to navigate."
The Russell Play Park committee has organized a couple of dine-out fundraisers,
with the restaurants donating a portion of their proceeds. At the end of June,
the second lemonade stand challenge will return to benefit the new park
enhancements.
"A lot of folks would spend the day driving to every lemonade stand," said McAdoo. "We had prizes for the kids. Every kiddo that participated in a stand received a package of prizes, things like a Happy Meal at McDonald's."
Last year's lemonade stand challenge was able to collect nearly $10,000 with matching funds. Find out how to donate to the Russell Play Park by going to russellplaypark.com.