THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HELPS PROVIDE

A SAFE PLACE TO PLAY FOR LOCAL SCHOOLCHILDREN

 

There were smiles all around on October 20 as Watson Williams Elementary School in Utica cut the ribbon for its new playground. The Foundation's Senior Program Officer, Jan Squadrito was answered with a chorus of cheers whenshe asked the students, "Are you excited about your new playground?"

The Community Foundation supported this project with a grant of more than $45,700 that enabled the Utica City School District to purchase and install protective surfacing on the playground. Peggy O'Shea, president and CEO of The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc., remarked,  "When we at The Community Foundation learned that Watson Williams School had playground equipment but unsafe ground surfacing, we encouraged them to submit a grant application. All children deserve a safe place to play and exercise, and it is our hope that the Watson Williams playground will provide this for the generations of the city's youth yet to come. We pleased that we could help the Utica City School District bring this important project to fruition."

Supporters were presented with certificates of appreciation.	Protective matting and playground equipment being installed at Watson Wiliams Elementary School in Utica, NY.