Brockville Recorder and Times Article
Funding boost for J.L. Jordan project
By MEGAN BURKE THE RECORDER AND TIMES
Posted 9 hours ago
Come May 5, 2012, J.L. Jordan Catholic School's yard is getting an extreme facelift.
The school's gymnasium was packed with parents and board members Thursday afternoon where it was announced the school's project, officially named Legacy Project, has been awarded a grant that will double their fundraising dollars.J.L. Jordan has so far raised over $13,000 towards the Legacy Project, which carries an estimated price tag of $75,000 and has been in the back of school staff's minds for a couple of years now, before learning they would receive a dollar-to-dollar matched grant through the Let Them Be Kids organization.
Let Them Be Kids is an international, non-profit organization that acts as a catalyst in creating strong communities through building playgrounds in areas of need.
The Legacy Project was one of only 30 projects in Canada selected for 2012.
The Brockville Award Video, created by the Let Them Be Kids organization, was played to the large crowd in the school's gymnasium.
"Every once in a while we are impressed. Every once in a while we get a special application that stands out," the video said.
"(J. L. Jordan) wanted to develop something great for the students, but also a place for the community... we're going to help you. We're going to do that extreme makeover in one day."
There's a lot of work to be done between now and May 5.
The proposed refurbishing of the schoolyard goes beyond merely providing a new structure for students to enjoy during recess. The proposal for the Legacy Project also includes a walking path, amphitheatre, benches, a sunshade, new trees and a gazebo that can be used as an outdoor classroom.
To further include the students in the project, they will have a say in the design of the new play structure. In the third week of January, on a day dubbed "dotmocracy," every student will be given three dots to put on a large poster board which is set up with every sort of element that can go into a play structure. The students will be able to place their dots on anything they want to see on the new structure.
The goal for the Legacy Project is to raise a total of $75,000 in cash, materials and services.
Moving forward, the school is seeking to partner with a number of community members through a Legacy tree campaign to help provide services and materials to complete the project. The school has also applied for a number of grants and continues to seek community support through fundraising and sponsorships.Every step of the Legacy Project will be tracked on the school's website, www.jljordan.ca,where people may donate online, see an updated list of requests for specific materials or services as project plans are developed, or offer time as a volunteer on the big day.
For the Legacy Project Build Day Event, May 5, the school estimates needing at least 200 people to participate for it to be successful. Special skills are not required and registration to participate can also be done by contacting the school.
Throughout the remainder of the school year, J.L. Jordan will be hosting monthly fundraisers to continue the momentum while engaging students in the effort to become a part of a legacy.
mburke@recorder.ca
