Dover South School Recess Run will fund new playground equipment
The latest effort is the Dover South School Recess Run, a 5K race that if successful, will bring the school closer to its goal of providing new playground equipment for the students. The race is scheduled for March 2 at 11 a.m. Runners of all skill levels are encouraged to register. The race will be the first race on the Tuscarawas Valley Challenge, a popular series of races, sponsored by Allied Machine & Engineering Corp.
“This whole idea came about because of Jen and Brendan McKee, both teachers in the Dover City School system and avid runners. They had the idea to have a 5K as a fundraiser to replace the dilapidated playground equipment at the school,” said Jeremy Evans, a teacher at Dover Middle School and parent to a South School kindergartener. “We formed a committee to help with the details. Once we received approval from the City of Dover, we set things in motion. We hope that the kids will benefit from the new equipment and the community will benefit from an event that promotes healthy living and wellness.”
Previous fundraising efforts have allowed the volunteers at South School to replace chains and swings on the existing swing set at a cost of about $8,000. “When we researched it, we discovered the old swing set was so much better made than anything we could buy new today,” said Debbie Dummermuth, special education paraprofessional at South School. “We replaced the old chains with rubber coated chains and they should last a long time. We were also able to paint the swing set thanks to volunteers from New Pointe Church who came out on their community work day.”
The Tuscarawas Society for Children & Adults, Inc., commonly known as the Rainbow Connection, a non-profit, independent health charity dedicated to meeting the needs of the disadvantaged and disabled residents of Tuscarawas County, provided some new playground equipment that while accessible to disabled students, is usable by all students.
“We try to make the most of what money we have been able to raise,” said Dummermuth. “We still have a ways to go but we are making progress. It has been fun to watch everyone get excited and do their part to make this first race a success. The event really has something for everyone, even if you are not a runner.” A soup and sandwich lunch is available free to runners and only $5 to those not participating in the race. Students from each grade level are creating gift baskets for a raffle, and local businesses have also donated raffle items. Josh Compton, elementary art teacher at Dover City Schools designed the race T-shirt, and Dover Middle School students involved in the science and technology initiative, Project Lead the Way, designed the prizes that will be given to runners.
“Our biggest school fundraiser is selling candy bars,” said Evans. “If given a choice to put more candy bars out into the world or coordinate a race that will benefit our students and the whole community, it seemed like the race was a better idea.”
Runners can sign up online at www.runsignup.com/Race/OH/Dover/RecessRun or link to a printable registration form by visiting Dover South Recess Run on Facebook.
For more information about “Dover South’s Dream” or the Recess Run, contact Debbie Dummermuth at 330-343-8220.