St. John's Lutheran Church & School Undertaking New Playground Project for School and the Community
Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 -- 8:35 AM
-St. John’s School is undertaking a new playground project for the school and the community.I spoke with Mike Allard, Principal of St. John’s, and he explained the project in more detail.
“Along with the whole building addition that we did, to be able to offer child care and continue our pre-school education, we didn’t have plans for a playground at the time, but now we added that in. It was a hope we wanted to do, but now it’s become official. The play space that we have now isn’t really appropriate for infant through 4-year-old children. So, we’ve already started to make improvements by fencing in the playground and having handicap access out there and everything like that. But now we’re taking it to the next step and really making two separate playgrounds, a 5-year-old to 8th grade playground and that younger grade with more age appropriate equipment.”
“We’re getting rid of the rocks out there in that area and having astro-turf in the play area. And also a bunch of seating and benches for families to come from here or from the community in general because there’s nothing, that I know of, in this community and in the county really, this general area, that has any kind of outdoor play structure specifically for infants to 4-year-olds. So, that’s really the reason.”
He then explained the upcoming Gala and Auction they’re holding to raise funds for the project.
“On November 16th, Fannies has allowed us to use their back room. We’re going to have a dinner first that’s open to, obviously, members of our congregation, parents that make use of our school and early learning center, but absolutely the whole community too. And those are $30 a piece. And then, along with that, when they get there, they’ll be given an auction number and a raffle ticket and we’ll have door prizes throughout the night, given away, along with different silent auction items to bid on and then we’ll have a live auction as well for some of the larger pricier items.”
Where we were conducting the interview was acting as a temporary storage area for many of the prizes donated by local businesses for the event. Mr. Allard talked a little bit about those prizes.
“There’s been a long list of community groups that have already given to this, but there’s a really nice sitting bench. It looks like it was hand carved, a really nice finish on it. A brand new fire pit that someone could use on their patio. There’s a cooler type of ice box here that’s decorative, wooden and has an American Flag on it. I know that we have a signed, autographed Packer football. A bunch of other local businesses that you can go to eat at has given us lots of coupons and items like that. There are various other types of gift baskets. All your needs can be met!”
Mr. Allard also explained why they decided this project would be not just for the school, but for the entire community.
“There’s nothing in this area, especially outdoors, that families can go to and take their infant, let them crawl around and, pretty much, be worry free. Our designs have different areas for infants to be in and older kids. In the past, we’ve wanted to help the community and the community makes use of our current playground, so we don’t want to necessarily exclude anyone from our little kid playground either and want it to be able to serve the needs of the community as best as possible. We saw a need in the community for the childcare center and that’s why we built it. And we also saw a need for this and that’s why we’re doing it as well.”
Mr. Allard provided a recap of when and where the Gala and Auction is going to be.
“Again, Saturday, November 16th is when we are having our Auction and Gala Dinner Event for our playground. And that is going to be at Fannie’s Supper Club. The event is going to begin at 5pm and if you buy the meal ticket, the meal will be at 5:30pm. If you just come for the silent auction and live auction and a few drinks, you can show up anytime after five and you’ll be welcome. You don’t need to eat the meal to come to the auction and gala. $30 is for the whole event and those tickets can be purchased at the school office here by calling 715-743-2501 or by stopping by and talking with our secretary Judy.”
Mr. Allard ended our interview by reminding residents that they’re here to serve the entire community.
“We’re here to serve our congregation. We’re here to serve the families in our school and we’re here to serve the community members. And that’s what we’re trying to do with this project and have it be a nice way for everyone to enjoy God’s creation.”
Again, the Gala and Auction is being held on November 16th at Fannie’s Supper Club just east of Neillsville beginning around 5pm.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.