Schools

Volunteers Build New Playground at SEDOL's Gages Lake School

About 450 volunteers, including 350 from Discover Financial, worked on the project.

When students at Gages Lake School return on Monday, they'll have a beautiful new playground to enjoy, thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who converged upon the school Friday.

The Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) school received a new handicap-accessible playground thanks to the non-profit organization KaBOOM! and Discover Financial.

"When we found out we got the funding, it was awesome," said Gail Lantvit, assistant superintendent of instruction, curriculum and assessment at SEDOL. "But today, it's beyond words."

KaBOOM!, headquartered in Washington, D.C., "brings play to communities," said Ann Subry, executive director of the SEDOL Foundation. KaBOOM!, she said, brings entities like schools together with financial partners to build play areas. 

The process to bring a new playground to Gages Lake School started back in January. SEDOL received the official go-ahead in May and what followed were weekly conference-call planning meetings between SEDOL, KaBOOM!, the Grayslake Police Department and other entities. 

On Friday, 450 volunteers built the playground, picnic tables, flower boxes and benches. They also painted exterior portions of Gages Lake School. The volunteers included 350 people from Discover Financial along with SEDOL parents, staff and community members, Grayslake Exchange Club members, SEDOL Foundation members, and former staff.

"Volunteering is one of our core values," said Discover Financial CEO David Nelms, who also volunteered his time on Friday. He said the company has a monthly "Discover Cares" volunteer event. Friday's volunteers consisted of the entire Discover Card Marketing Team, Nelms said.

"I've always felt it's important to give back in so many ways," said Nelms.
 
David Raye, chairman of the SEDOL Foundation Board of Directors, said while the Foundation is able to do a lot of great things for SEDOL, Friday's project was beyond the scope of what the Foundation is usually able to provide. The Foundation, he said, typically helps individual families to provide items like adaptive equipment.

"We're really proud that (KaBOOM!) picked us," said Raye. "I'm just amazed at what they've been able to accomplish."

Jimano's Pizzeria provided free pizza, pasta and salad for all of the volunteers to enjoy. Owner Patrick Pluth also helped out at the event, serving lunch to the volunteers and keeping the lunch line organized.

"The executive director called and said she needed help (providing the food). When I asked her how many people it was, I said, how about we save you some trouble and do the whole thing?" said Pluth. "It's a big job, but it's a worthwhile opportunity to be involved in an event like this. We feel like we're giving back to the community."


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