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Sept. 26, 2006
Contact: Gordon
Ovenshine: 724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu
SRU VOLUNTEERS HEAD NEW CASTLE PLAYGROUND
PROJECT;
CONTRIBUTIONS SOUGHT TO BUILD ON MAKE A
DIFFERENCE DAY OCT. 28
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa.
– To build a playground in the I Care Community Garden on New
Castle's East Side, Slippery Rock University communication
instructor Nina Persi and other volunteers are heading a $40,000
campus and community collection drive.
Organizers intend to build the
playground on the national Make A Difference Day Oct.
28.
“We want to provide a
safe space for the children where they can dream, imagine, and just
be a child,” Persi said. “After spending nearly a year
volunteering at the I Care House, I have seen firsthand how the
children value being in a caring, nurturing
environment.”
Buckets collecting monetary donations
will be placed in campus offices and at local businesses, and
advocates seek corporate contributions of $500 or more. Another way
to support the playground is to sponsor the cost of playground
equipment in which donors will be recognized by having the
individual’s or organization’s name placed on
equipment.
Up to 200 volunteers are needed for the construction day
as well.
The I Care House Playground, at Court and Pine streets,
will include a jungle gym, slide, tot lot, climbing wall, swing set
and benches, said Persi, a board member for the I Care House.
Launched in 2004, the I Care House provides educational and
life-skills services to children and adults. Alice
Kaiser-Drobney, director of SRU’s Institute for Community,
Service-Learning and Nonprofit Leadership, directs the
facility.
“A dedicated New Castle and Slippery Rock
University community have made the I Care House idea a
reality,” she said. “We hope their continued generosity
will make the dreams of a playground adjacent to the I Care House a
reality too.”
SRU President Robert Smith endorsed the project, saying,
“Good citizenship is one of our core values. Students and
community residents who get involved gain a greater sense of social
awareness and build on their leadership
skills.”
For more information, call Persi at 724-738-4075 or
Heather Stoy at the I Care House at
724-658-8873.
#PN, PgN, PR
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