Fundraiser hopes to add playground equipment to Howard Park

The organizers of a fundraising campaign for playground equipment at Howard Park are hopeful they will have the money in time to install the equipment this summer.

Project leaders Emily Martlin and Laurie Stokes-Woods have raised over $13,300 in donations and pledges towards the project to date. The Fairfield Kiwanis chapter continues to be a major supporter of this project to benefit local kids. Kiwanis President Joe Stever led the charge for a new bid that allowed for a community build and lowered the total needed by $10,000. The new goal for the project is $20,296.32 after accounting for the current pledges.

Stever predicts many local volunteers including Kiwanis will join in the building once the funds are raised. Martlin and Stokes-Woods said they hope the Kiwanis chapter taking the lead will encourage other civic organizations and individuals to help with the project.

Those interested in participating in the fundraising effort can send checks to the Park and Rec Foundation, Attention: Ron Haines, 58 E. Burlington Ave., Fairifled, IA, 52556. The fundraising effort also has a Facebook page 'Take the Howard Park Challenge.”