A new campaign started by B&B Builders and the Sidney Community Foundation for brand new equipment at West Side Elementary School is off to an excellent start as $47,655 of the $200,000 has been raised thanks to community donations.

“It’s been phenomenal so far, especially considering we just started this summer,” Anne-Marie Heen, fundraising organizer, said. Heen and Leslie McMillen are both in charge of fundraising for the project. “We haven’t really impacted everyone yet as we will be sending letters home with students and trying to reach additional members of the community in the coming weeks.”

The current playground equipment is deteriorating and hasn’t been improved for 17 years. It’s a need that the entire community can help with by donating to the project. “It’s an extremely important campaign,” Heen said. “West Side Elementary is growing while the equipment is getting older and needs some serious updating.”

The $200,000 goal is set for Sept. 15 which is the day organizers expect to order the equipment. After a month to ship and install, the new playground is expected to be installed by mid-November.

Organizers are also looking to other sources to help raise funds.

“We are currently applying for grants to help with the funding,” she said. “I think that shows that we’re not just relying on community donations.”

For more information, contact Heen at 701-770-7916 or amheen@gmail.com.

For those who want to be part of the project, tax deductible donations can be made to the Sidney Community Education Foundation. Make checks payable to SCEF – PLAYGROUND, 200 Third Ave. S.E., Sidney, MT 59270.

“I think it’s a great way for the community to work together for one cause,” Heen said.

sports@sidneyherald.com

sports@sidneyherald.com