THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503150111
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Support for the Fun Forest playground project has ``spanned all segments of Chesapeake,'' said fund-raising chairman Bill Rost.
``From small children's pennies to large corporate gifts, there's no doubt that this will be one of the most successful projects in our history and the return to our community will be immeasurable,'' Rost declared.
Rost's enthusiasm was echoed by Claire R. Askew, director of the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Building Maintenance. ``The enthusiasm of our citizens has been incredible,'' she said. ``People have volunteered their time and their money to make this happen.''
It's still nearly two months before 4,000 volunteer laborers will come together to construct one of the largest playgrounds in Virginia. Until then, project organizers are concentrating their efforts on raising the $200,000 needed to build the playground. Already about $140,000 of that amount has been raised through donations, raffles, special events and the sale of Fun Forest T-shirts and sweat shirts.
``Everyone from families to Scouts, schools and businesses have been excited and generous with their support of Fun Forest,'' said Mary Lou Yarter, assistant coordinator for fund-raising and special events. ``The community is getting it together.''
Cavalier Ford has donated $8,000, Yarter said, and Huntsman Chemical Corp. donated $2,500 to purchase picnic tables and benches.
A ``casino night'' event at Greenbrier Country Club raised $6,000, and local schoolchildren brought in $2,000 with a February penny drive.
A raffle benefiting Fun Forest is scheduled for March 28 for a four-night cruise for two to Bahama aboard Premier Cruise Line's ``Big Red Boat.'' The prize was donated by Travel Network, 1400 Kempsville Road, where tickets can be purchased.
``The $5 raffle tickets are definitely a better risk than the lottery,'' said Chris Nicholas, chairman of special events and the owner of Travel Network.
A. Murphy Fence Co. has donated a backyard play set, which is on display at Greenbrier Mall. Raffle tickets for the $2,000 backyard play equipment cost $1. The drawing for this prize will be on May 7, after the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Fun Forest.
Almost 400 Fun Forest sweat shirts and T-shirts have been sold for $15 to $18 at Proffitts Store at Greenbrier Mall.
``Proffitts presented the shelf space and the processing of the sales and the sponsors listed on the back of the shirts absorbed all production cost so that it's 100 percent clear profit,'' said Mary C. Haddad, general co-ordinator of Fun Forest. ``And for those fans who don't have their shirt yet, there's still time to get one.
``Greenbrier Country Club even called us and offered a Fun Forest Golf Tournament,'' said Haddad. ``The community outreach has been overwhelming.''
Those interested in registering for the March 21 tournament can call Scot Oswald or Eddie Luke at 547-7375. Registration for a foursome is $200, and sponsors for $75 a hole are also needed.
The Easter Bunny has even offered his services to Fun Forest by agreeing to appear Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Piccadilly Cafeteria at Greenbrier Mall. For $2.50 per person, the younger set can join him for breakfast.
``That so many people have helped in so many ways to make this park a reality says a lot for our community,'' said Nicholas. ``The project is terrific for not only our entire community but for all Hampton Roads. I know we are going to be overrun with fun at Fun Forest.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
FUN FOREST TILES
Personalized tiles for the Fun Forest Tile wall can be purchased
Saturday at the Chesapeake Central Library from 9 to 11 a.m. March
18; or at the YMCA on Indian River Road from 9 to 11 a.m. March 25
and April 1.
To hear a recording of up-to-date information about Fun Forest
projects or to volunteer money or materials, call 552-2020.
by CNB