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We are very excited to announce our 11th Kingdom for Kids Playground project. Our Committee has selected Smith Elementary located on the city’s east side at 823 S. Gevers. After receiving their request and learning that they have been asking and praying for a playground for over 14 years, we decided to visit the 100 year old campus. We were met by a wonderful faculty who have energized their students and activated the parents and PTA in to a full involvement with school activities.
They have a wonderful place to learn, but they have very little on which to play. 3 faded four square courts on the back asphalt parking lot are about all we saw on the visit. There was a small plastic playground in the very back for the little children. And there are 529 enrolled there…87% Hispanic and 97% economically disadvantaged.
Our vision for Smith is bold. We have chosen a site for the large playground on the front of the school where neighbors and community can be invited to bring their 5-11 year old children. Then on the back, we are building a secure play structure for the 3-5 year old children. We also see a large need for landscape improvements and interactive sports activities such as basketball, volleyball and tether ball….so we want to give this an effort if funding can be raised.
Our current fund balance is $43,735. We have been blessed with wonderful donations: $20,000 from the Harvey Najim Foundation, $10,000 from the Valero Energy Foundation, $5,000 from our Fellow Rotarian Ron Finch and the Edouard Foundation. We are well on our way to the $75,000 goal we must achieve to complete all components.
Can you all join us! We ask a lot of you and you are always there to help. Smith needs us now and we can help to improve lives and communities.
Kingdom for Kids XI at Smith will be held November 2nd and 3rd of 2012!
Past President Rick Cavender
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