The latest Optimist Club to sponsor a playground is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri where the Noon Optimist Club members have committed $100,000 to build a fully accessible playground for children of all ages and abilities.
The playground is being dedicated to the memory of Melaina Cunningham, a 3-year-old who died last year from complications related to pneumonia. Melaina's mom is spearheading the efforts to raise $500,000 for the project. Included in the plans are the playground equipment, a special surface for under the equipment, and infrastructure to Cape County Park North including handicapped parking and restsrooms. The Optimist Club pledge and commitments from the county puts the project at 50% of its goal.
According to Optimist Club member Jeff Glenn, the club has considered a project like this for some time. Their funds will come from Friday Night Optimist Bingo at Bingo World. Glenn says that hopefully other service clubs will kick in to make Melaina's Magical Playground a reality.
Picture courtesy of Adventure Island, an all ability playground built by volunteers in Meridian, Idaho.