Washington Savings Bank Contributes Toward Playground at Child Development Center

(PRESENT AT THE CHECK PRESENTATION, FROM LEFT: RANDY JONES AND ALLISON DONSBACH OF WASHINGTON SAVINGS BANK; E-C-D-C TREASURER OF THE BOARD KAYLA DUNCAN; E-C-D-C DIRECTOR ROCHELLE FRENCH; BANK PRESIDENT DAVID DOEDTMAN; AND ELAINE BUEHNERKEMPER, RODNEY MURBARGER AND RYAN FEARDAY OF WASHINGTON SAVINGS BANK)

Washington Savings Bank has contributed $10,000 to Effingham Child Development Center.

The contribution will go towards helping ECDC improve their playground area. This “Playground for ALL Children” will include water drainage, an improved play surface for wheelchairs, ADA-approved play equipment that is expected to last for at least 10 years, sun shades, and privacy fencing.

In the past 15 years, over 2,000 students have participated in the Effingham Child Development Center program. The ECDC staff believes that a child’s initial experiences with early childhood education determine the degree to which the child and family feel connected to their community. ECDC strives for inclusion and is paving the way for kids to learn and play together, feeling that inclusive environments in a child's early years set the tone for successful relationships in the future. ECDC has an all-inclusive interior at their center as their classrooms are already serving many children and families with all different kinds of abilities.

The ECDC would like the outdoor play area to be just as all-inclusive as the inside. Program directors say the playground currently has unleveled pea gravel that is not wheelchair accessible, experiences significant drainage issues that keeps the children from playing outside for several days after a heavy rain, has playground equipment that is sun bleached, worn out and cracked because it was designed for home use, and equipment that does not meet ADA requirements. They say their playground does not adequately serve the children and considerably limits the program.

This project will be a complete makeover and will require the existing playground to be torn out completely.

1. A land improvement company will come in and remove all the old structures and fencing then level the ground and improved drainage.
2. A professional solid protective play surface will be poured in place to serve as fall protection and an appropriate surface for wheelchairs and walkers to roll on.
3. All new shade structures will be added to protect the children from sunburns and help cool the playground area.
4. New privacy fencing will surround the playground to protect the children. This is especially important for children in protective custody. Chain link fencing will be used on the interior of the playground to divide it up for different age groups.
5. All new all-inclusive play and educational equipment will be professionally installed. This equipment will meet ADA guidelines and properly serve each age group of children.

The goal of this project is to have an enduring impact on the families they serve. Suppoters say this project will bless many children and families well into the future.

“With the help of Washington Savings Bank’s donation, we are one step closer to our goal but still need your help! The total cost of this project is $300,000. To date, we have received $120,000 in grants and donations to specifically fund this project.” says Shelli French, Effingham Child Development Center Director. “Please help us create a playground for ALL the children at ECDC, both now and for many years to come! With your funding, you would be improving our exisitng program so we can EXPAND our care for all children with SPECIAL NEEDS and Circumstances.”

Donations can be made to the ECDC Playground Fund at any Washington Savings Bank location in Effingham or Mattoon.