Children learn through play, by making many precious memories of fun on the school playground in particular. And at one school in Hernando County, the children in attendance need a new place to play and explore their imaginations.
The Methodist School Center in Brooksville is a community institution and outreach program of the First United Methodist Church of Brooksville that’s been active since the 1970s and is in need of new playground equipment. At this time, the K-8 school is asking the community for their help in giving its students a more modern, strong-standing recreation area. They are in need of a place in which they can learn, exercise, and (of course) have a whole lot of fun in the process.
In order to raise funds for a new playground at the school, the Methodist School Center held a lemonade fundraiser last month and will host a barbecue fund-raiser from 11 am to 1 pm on Friday, June 16. “The last time we replaced the play equipment was eight years ago,” said Chrissy Browning, who is the head of the school. “It’s time for a change.”
Browning hopes to replace her school’s much-used wooden playset with a refreshed metal model, one that comes complete with the slides, swings, and other large-scale toys that kids enjoy. “We need something sturdy and long-lasting,” she said.
The estimated price tag for a top-quality metal playground set, says Browning, runs between $60-100,000. So, the Methodist School Center has launched a significant giving campaign to raise these needed funds. The Lemonade and Lunchboxes picnic event, which was conducted on May 5, raised $5,000 for this effort. Mallie Kyla’s, Red Mule Inn, and The Breakfast Station provided food for this gathering, which also included a raffle. In addition, the school sold decorative banners for sponsoring businesses at the event to raise additional funds.
“We have been blessed,” said Browning, “One of our teachers, Kellie Griffin, has been instrumental in organizing these fund-raisers. Our alumni, our students’ families, and the Hernando community are coming out to help us.”
The community will have another chance to support the playground fund and enjoy more good food at the school’s June 16 barbecue. This will be a feast set to include pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, cole slaw, and other summery delights. A suggested donation, to be announced on the day of the barbecue, will be accepted for each plate sold. “We invite everyone to attend,” said Browning, “to help our children learn through play.”
