Center raises $60k for playground

Area businesses, community members help Franklin project

By MICHAEL ERB, merb@newsandsentinel.com
PARKERSBURG — Franklin Elementary Center has received more than $18,000 in grants and donations from area businesses to pay for construction of a new playground at the school.

Parents, employees and students have been working for more than two years to raise funds for the project, and has gathered about $60,000 for playground equipment and additions.

Melissa Tornabene, school nurse for Franklin Center and one of the playground fund-raising organizers, said the school has seen overwhelming support from area businesses and the community.

Lowe’s Charitable Education Foundation recently awarded the school a $7,500 Toolbox for Education grant for playground equipment. The school was one of hundreds nationally to receive the grants, which are designated for school improvement and beautification projects. The south Parkersburg Lowe’s also has offered assistance with the installation of the playground equipment.

The school also has received $10,000 from the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Charitable Foundation and $1,000 from Wal-Mart. Numerous area businesses also have made smaller donations, ranging from $150-$250 or more.

Between the grants and donations, the school has managed to raise about $48,000, Tornabene said, with Wood County Schools allotting another $12,000 to help purchase and install equipment at the school’s main playground.

“We’ve got a really nice main structure purchased and we’re to be putting in tire swings and also a fitness area,” she said.

Tornabene said the school still hopes to raise additional funds for the prekindergarten playground, estimating another $15,000 will be needed to put in a tricycle track and some additional outdoor play equipment.

“It is going to be really nice,” she said.

Work on the playgrounds is slated for the beginning of June after the end of the school year, Tornabene said, and several area groups already have volunteered to help with the project.

“We’ve seen a lot of support,” she said.