It was an exciting day last week when Polk County Supervisors Tom Hockensmith and Steve Van Oort and Community Grant Administrator Lisa Moody-Tunks presented a $50,000 check towards Delaware’s new playground equipment!
Maggie Crabb and Sharon Townsend from the Southeast Polk Education Foundation, which served as our fiscal agent for this grant, were also present. Delaware’s fifth-grade classes and the Delaware PTA, also shared in this momentous event.
School Board member Ric Powell had previously submitted a grant request to the Polk County Development. It was put on hold due to COVID-19 but recently was informed that his grant was approved.
Delaware is the third Southeast Polk elementary school to receive grant funding from Polk County Development. Mitchellville and Centennial had previously received grants.
Tom Hockensmith, District 4 Supervisor, shared,
“What’s so impressive to the Polk County Board is how hard the PTA, parents and students of Delaware worked to also raise money toward this project. We love that we are able to help students in our community – it was a unanimous decision to approve this grant.”
Kevin Walker, Delaware Elementary Principal, is so proud.
“Initially, raising enough money for this project seemed overwhelming. But everyone rolled up their sleeves, with the PTA pulling us all together. At one point we realized – we can do this!”
The Delaware PTA had already raised some funds to start Phase 1 of this project through a variety of fundraising efforts including Rams Run Fun Run.
According to current PTA President, Krystal Drumheller, the equipment has been ordered and the plan is to install it in July so it’s ready by the beginning of next school year. Once the students are back in school, they will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Steve Van Oort, District 3 Supervisor, requested that he gets to be the first one down the slide. We’ll be happy to oblige!
A huge thank you to everyone who has made this project happen! We love our community!
