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Schools

KDM Foundation and Local Moms Raise Playground Funds

Students will get a new playground with the help from a foundation formed in honor of a local September 11th victim who also attended the school.

All the stars started lining up is how KDM Foundation Board Member Gregg Kennedy described the foundation and local mothers joining together to fundraise for a new playground at Deane Porter School.

The KDM Foundation, a local foundation formed in honor of Keith McHeffey, a September 11th victim, donated $20,000 to the playground funding, according to Kennedy. He said he was approached by the Friends of Deane Porter Playground (FDP) for a donation, and agreed to help in their fundraising efforts. Kennedy is married to McHeffey’s sister.

The goal was to raise $55,000, and according to Kennedy, they are 90 percent there. An additional $5,500 is needed to reach the goal. “It was a great cause, so we agreed to work together,” said Kennedy.

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“Hopefully, children will enjoy it for generations to come,” he said.

FDP, formed by Carolyn Cashion, felt the Deane Porter school children were stuck inside during the winter a great deal and had no time outside. With the field project already set in motion, she thought a new playground to replace the old rusty one was needed.

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“It all fell into place. We had many generous donations from families in town,” Cashion said, aside from the KDM’s generous donation. A big plus, she said, was the playground manufacturer also gave them a grant, so the school is getting a $100,000 playground for $55,000.

It was only in mid-April when this fundraising effort kicked off, and it is already near its goal. That in itself is no small undertaking. “People want this and are donating generously to the cause,” Cashion said. She explained that it’s not a typical, run-of-the-mill playground, but one that will challenge the children physically.

Aside from Cashion, FDP included Kathryn Kent, Tiffini Haley, Andrea Webber, Lisa Grand, Christine Scott, and Lanae Herman, according to Cashion. All contributed to the fundraising effort to make the new playground happen, said Cashion.

If all works out as planned, the playground will be installed in time for the children to enjoy it by the start of the new school year, according to Cashion. A plaque is expected to be installed at the site, dedicated to McHeffey, who attended Deane Porter.

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