Seventh Ward Elementary Receives New Playground Equipment from Pilot Club
$50,000 Gift is Second Donation Given to Livingston Schools
DENHAM SPRINGS, La. – Students at Seventh Ward Elementary in Denham Springs can ow enjoy new playground equipment on their campus, thanks to a generous donation by the Pilot Club of Denham Springs.
The local charitable organization raised $50,000 to purchase and install the new equipment on the campus. This is the second playground donated by the club, its members donated similar equipment, also costing $50,000, to Holden School earlier this year.
“We know that children develop a host of skills through play, but many of our students in Livingston Parish may have limited access to safe play equipment on the campuses,” said Terri Borde, a Pilot Club representative.
“We know the Livingston Parish School Board does not allocate funding to elementary schools for playground equipment, and that has contributed to a severe shortage of equipment available to all students, and especially those with disabilities,” Borde added.
Seventh Ward Elementary School Principal Laura Dunlap, as well as many of her school’s teachers and central office staff, were present for the dedication of the new playground equipment. Several students who were also in attendance quickly accessed the equipment, climbing, sliding and playing chase with each other.
“We want to thank the many members of the Denham Springs Pilot Club for their willingness to identify needs in our school system and to step up to help,” Dunlap said. “This wonderful gift will bring many hours of enjoyment and learning to our students.”
Borde said the Pilot Club has adopted a 5- to 10-year plan to provide playground equipment to elementary campuses across the parish that is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. She said the club hopes to target two elementary schools each year.
The first two recipients of the Pilot Club’s initiative are Holden School and Sevent Ward Elementary. Holden’s equipment was delivered and installed over the summer, while Seventh Ward Elementary’s came in near the time school started, and its set up was completed before the end of August.
“We will continue to work closely on these projects, as well as others, with the LPPS administration in order to provide all children access to play,” Borde said, noting that the organization’s members work with grant programs and raise local donations to pay for the new equipment.
Borde said the mission of the Pilot Club of Denham Springs is to positively impact and transform local communities in Livingston Parish by supporting efforts that develop youth, provide services and education, and uplift families. She noted that in keeping with that mission, the focus of many of the club’s projects often involve supporting people with disabilities and/or brain-related disorders.
Seventh Ward Elementary students play on new equipment, valued at $50,000, that was donated to the school by the Denham Springs Pilot Club.