SUPPORT THE UMCH PLAYGROUND FUND
UMCH Playground Story
For over 106 years, United Methodist Community House (UMCH), a non-profit organization, has been a trusted resource for families in inner-city Grand Rapids. In early 2009, UMCH learned that the playground equipment installed in 1992 no longer met licensing standards and needed to be replaced. With our playground demolished, what was left was an empty, open space with patchy woodchips and faded memories. Another reality for many children is that inner-city playgrounds are scarce, lot sizes are small and yards are often not big enough to run around or play in. In addition, UMCH child care accreditation requires accessible playground equipment for the almost 200 children receiving Child Development Center services throughout the year.
A new playground at United Methodist Community House represented a necessary solution. Work soon began to make this solution a reality.
- March 2009: Began business solicitation
- May 2009: OtterBase, Inc. became the lead playground sponsor, donating $5,000
- May 2009: Playground was ordered with a 25% payment
- June 2009: A bump in the road- UMCH was evacuated due to the playground construction crew hitting a gas main. The evacuation went smoothly and everyone soon returned to the building. News 8’s Rachael Ruiz was on site to cover the story.
- July 2009: Playground was the feature story in the Triumph Newsletter and in agency tours.
- July 2009: Playground Equipment was delivered and installed
- August 14th 2009: Playground Open to UMCH Kids
Thanks to OtterBase, Inc. and our other playground donors, we have raised over $14,000! We continue to seek support to reach our playground payoff goal of $8,000.00. The urgency is that the playground equipment and the playground approved mulch must be paid in full by December 2009. Therefore, we still need YOUR help to make this happen and YOU can make the difference.
What’s Next…
- Pay Off Current Playground Equipment Balance – By December 2009
- Expand the Playground Environment to include Toddler Approved Equipment, Trees, Seating and Benches – Fall 2009 or Spring 2010
With your help, together WE CAN!