Last Friday, students at the Becker Primary School participated in a walk-a-thon fundraiser. Instead of selling wrapping paper and chocolate as their annual PTSA fundraiser, each school was asked to do their own walk-a-thon.
In June, Judee Vesledahl, Erika Rusin and Dale Christensen had their winning Big Dog challenge idea presented which included designing a handicapped ramp for playground equipment at the Primary School.
The idea for the wheelchair-accessability came from Jayci Wilson, a seven-year-old who died in May of 2016 due to congenital muscular dystrophy with merosin deficiency.
Vesledahl, Rusin and Christensen’s vision was for a fire truck to be constructed at the playground that had wheelchair access and a piece of equipment called the Sway Swing Glider that a wheelchair can access using a ramp (and all kids can use).
Toni Knutson, a local firefighter, was contacted by Vesledahl to see how the fire department could get involved and things took off from there. Knutson helped fundraise and find donors and her cohorts at the fire department plan to build the fire truck and install it during MEA week.
The walk-a-thon had kids hit the school outdoor track and walk for 45 minutes with family and staff. That day, it happened to be a warm one with temperatures in the 90’s. The kids were instructed to collect donations to go towards all-inclusive playground equipment. The BFD also brought their ladder truck to the fundraiser to show their support.
As of this week, the students have raised $10,361 through the walk-a-thon and donations from local businesses. The entire cost of the project is $17,337.
Country Lumber said they’d be willing to donate staff time and blueprints for the equipment and a discount for materials for the project. The firefighters pledged to construct the fire truck — probably in one of their bays the fire station — then transport the apparatus when completed next week.
As they receive more money, they will be able to add the other pieces of equipment.
Knutson said the initial costs for the fire truck has been paid for by the donations through the walk-a-thon and several area donors including the Becker and Clear Lake Lions, Becker Fire and Rescue, LPI, Inc., Dillon’s Hope Foundation, Knife River Concrete, Northern Metals Recycling, NJ Johnson Concrete and the Eddy Foundation. Becker Furniture World matched the first $500 raised through the walk-a-thon.
“We feel very fortunate to be a part of such a supportive and generous community,” the organizers said. “All of the children at Becker Primary will enjoy these additions because of your generosity.”
To help with a donation, go to: www.beckeractivities.registryinsight.com or bring a donation to the office in the Becker Primary School.
“We will continue to update the community on our progress,” said Vesledahl. “Look for more articles related to this story. Thanks again, Becker community, for supporting our children and schools!”