Two Moms Bring Changes to D.J. Montague's Outdoor Space
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers
D.J. Montague Elementary opened its doors in 1989. Thirty-five years later, the playground is in much need of improvements and upgrades for the 500 students who use it on a daily basis, many of whom reside in Ford’s Colony.
“The monkey bars have closed down because of safety,” says fourth-grader Natalie. “We have some swings, but they’re a little rusty. We’d love to have a gaga ball pit.”
Ford’s Colony moms Allegra Lapetina and Holly White have set out to make recess a bit more magical for the students. In April, they launched a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising enough funds to improve the playground by the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
With the funds raised so far, and a bit of elbow grease, they were able to brighten up the old sidewalks with a colorful playscape. It’s a good start to making the playground a bit more cheerful, but these moms are determined to find funding for new equipment, including a gaga ball pit, which will create a new experience for the students.
The price tag for a gaga ball pit, including installation, is around $3,000. “That improvement alone would be a fantastic start and would bring new excitement to recess for the kids,” says Holly, who is spearheading the efforts.
Will you consider a gift to fund playground improvements that will have a meaningful impact for years? Gifts can be made directly through the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/colony-kids-fundraiser-dj-montague-playground or scan the QR code here.
If you have questions or would like to get involved, please feel free to reach out to Allegra at FCColonykids@gmail.com.