Leonard Kirtz School raising money to finish inclusive playground for students
Leonard Kirtz School is holding a Cavatelli dinner and raffle this Sunday to help raise money for the construction of a new playground for its students. This is the biggest fundraiser for the school.
As part of the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Leonard Kirtz School is dedicated to serving kids, teens, and young adults in Mahoning County who have special needs, including those with multiple handicaps and those who are medically fragile.
The construction of this playground has been an ongoing fundraising project by the school for the past four years. So far, they've raised over $500,000 from donations and fundraisers for the inclusive playground, making the project a year ahead of schedule. The project costs around $1,000,000.
The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities also gave $400,000 towards the project, and promises to help with any extra costs not raised.
The playground will allow the students to stay more active in school, and gives them a chance to use the equipment, even if they can't use a traditional playground.
"Prior to four years ago, we only basically had a couple of adapted swingsets. And so, our kids need a lot of movement, they need to be able have inclusivity, and peer interaction, and that's all we had for a playground," said Gina Symsek, Principal of Leonard Kirtz School.
A lot of the equipment is similar to what you would see at a normal playground, but modified so those who have mobility issues can still use the playground.
“This playground will mean the world to students, like my son who is wheelchair bound. Now all of the students will have a safe inclusive place to explore and play," says Connie Knight, PTA president and mother of a student at Leonard Kirtz.
Money raised at the dinner will in part go to that project, along with funding supplies and field trips for three students who attend the school.
"The PTA and all of the staff at Leonard Kirtz has put together an amazing event featuring over 100 baskets in the raffle," adds Knight.
The event is on Sunday, April 14th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Leonard Kirtz School in Austintown. The carry-out dinner will include a cavatelli and meatball dinner, salad, bread and dessert.
