WAHPETON, ND - Central and Zimmerman elementary schools in Wahpeton are still waiting for new playground equipment. However funds continue to come in to help toward the Playground Improvement Group's goal of $70,000 by August 2008. Currently, the project has brought in just over $30,000 through fundraising events, business and service organization donations, families of students and students themselves. More than 15 sources have contributed to the project so far.

Although a total of $30,034 has been raised for the project since January 2006, only $25,700 sits in the project's account due to a few items that were already purchased for the two playgrounds. Handicapped access swings were purchased for both elementary schools and the student council purchased a Huskie bench. Also, a new teacup spinner, similar to a smaller sized merry-go-round, has recently been added to the playground at Zimmerman Elementary. The six foot spinner accommodates up to six children at a time, and Elaine Klocke, Playground Improvement Steering Committee member, said the children were all excited about the new addition.

"I don't know if all the kids got rides," she said. "The lines were so long."Now that a few smaller additions have been taken care of, Klocke said they are pushing to get the $70,000 by the end of summer 2008.

Read more about the efforts here .

Other tidbits from the article:

• Because the Playground Improvement Group still has a large amount of money to raise, the group's focus is on grant writing. The group is beginning to look at a large land and conservation type grant which could being up to $30,000 to the project's account.
• "Cans for Equipment" is an ongoing fundraiser through the Wilkin County Recycling Center, where families or anyone in the Twin Towns can turn in their cans and donate the proceeds to the elementary school playground equipment. Collectors need to specify that they want the proceeds from the cans to go toward the Playground Improvement Group-Wahpeton Public Schools.
• "Our Family Labels for Learning" is also an ongoing fundraiser where anyone can collect and take Our Family product labels to the drop boxes located at both elementary schools. Last year, the schools earned $225 for collecting 2000 Our Family labels. This year 1,000 labels have already been dropped earning $125 for the playgrounds.
• The Playground Improvement Group also continues to collect funds through their "Spirit Shop" where stadium seat cushions are available for $35 by contacting Elaine Klocke or any other members of the committee at Central Elementary School. One hundred percent of those profits go toward the playgrounds as well.
• Starting in January 2008, the children of Central and Zimmerman elementary schools will start their "Pennies for Playgrounds" fundraiser. Each classroom challenges it's students to bring in as many pennies from home as they can and the winning classroom is rewarded with a pizza party. Klocke said the drive for pennies typically lasts two weeks. In January 2006 the children raised $3,050 and in January this year the children raised $1,800 in pennies.