By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
MAPLETON – Though lunch boxes may come to mind when thinking of elementary students enjoying their lunch break, it’s a program involving a toolbox that will be making lunch breaks and recess more fun for pre-K and kindergarten students at Mapleton Elementary School.
“Thanks to the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education program, we are $5,000 closer to completing a playground for our pre-K and kindergarten students,” said Principal Gail Gibson.
Lowe’s Manager Rodney Wohlford and Administrative Manager Scott Amero were on hand recently to present Gibson with a check for $5,000 from the store’s national grant program.
“Our Toolbox for Education program is designed to provide funds for such projects. Anyone interested in learning more about the program or filling out an application can do so by visit www.lowes.com,” said Wohlford.
To access information about the program, visit the Web site, click on ‘About Lowe’s’ located at the bottom of the screen, then click on ‘Community’ to bring you to the proper link. Lowe’s gives out thousands of dollars annually to help schools and communities make such worthwhile improvements, in addition to staff donating numerous hours to charitable projects.
“Nationwide, the company gives out thousands to be used for school projects and playgrounds like the one in Mapleton. Employees also dedicate many hours to community service projects, such as the Habitat for Humanity project completed last fall in Fort Fairfield,” said Wohlford.
“When the playground is closer to completion, members of our staff may come over to lend a hand,” said Amero.
Wohlford added many employees at the Presque Isle store, such as Amero, may have a personal interest in volunteering to help finish the work.
“When it comes to installing, we’ve got a lot of employees who may want to volunteer, since their children attend school here. Our staff is a pretty handy bunch,” said Wohlford.
Gibson said she was amazed how easy the process was to apply for the grant.
“I had a long list of information prepared for when I went online to fill out the application. I was surprised how simple it really was. I actually had to cut down on the amount of information I used compared to what I had prepared. It wasn’t a difficult form at all to complete,” said Gibson.
Lowe’s isn’t the only local business to contribute so far to the project.
“Irving Forest Products provided chips for both our playgrounds,” said Gibson.
The need for a second playground was based on safety.
“This playground is further from the road than the first one, which was designed with the older kids in mind. This one will also provide a separate site for the younger children to play, away from those in the higher grades,” said Gibson.
Gibson credited efforts by the Mapleton Parents Organization for making the second playground a possibility.
“The Mapleton Parents Organization have worked hard to create this second playground. So far, we’ve already added a large piece of playground equipment – a multi-use apparatus,” she said. “The organization has raised approximately $5,000 for the project.”
Gibson said plans are to add more pieces to create a larger, more enjoyable playground for the younger children.
“We want to add covered sandboxes that are handicap accessible. We also want to add seating that could be used year-round,” said Gibson.
During Mapleton Daze, Gibson explained the school serves as a central location for activities. The added playground and seating will serve to enhance the annual festival.
As part of the SAD 1 school system, Gibson said it is up to the district to install the equipment.
“Dave Sowers (who serves as the director of SAD 1 maintenance) is in charge of making sure it (the playground) meets all safety codes,” said Gibson.
If all goes as planned, the project is expected to be completed in time for the next school year.
“We hope to complete much of the work this spring and through the summer. We hope to have the playground completed for the start of the new school year,” said Gibson, adding that the grant money brings the project that much closer to being finished.
“A project of this size can be costly. It’s expensive to pay for a playground. This (the grant) will help a great deal,” said Gibson.
On average, Gibson expects upwards of 70 students to use the playground and new equipment, once it’s completed but added that it’s not just for the students but the community as a whole.
“We have about 70 students in both grades each year who will use it. But it’s just as important to point out it’s for use by the whole community the rest of the year,” said Gibson.
Wohlford said it’s a pleasure to be a part of each and every community Lowe’s serves.
“We’re glad to help out and encourage others to check out the Web site and fill out an application. The money is there for the taking for projects like this playground,” said Wohlford. “This will benefit our employees’ children, our customers and the community overall. We’re pleased to be a part of efforts like this.”
