Troy University students raise $10,000 to help build playground

The Troy Miracle League Playground is $10,000 closer to fruition after a donation from Troy University Greeks.

Sunday night, Troy’s fraternities and sororities presented playground organizers with a check after holding a series of fund-raising events as part of the 2013 Greek Week.

“To see their faces and how appreciative they were was really rewarding to me and made me very proud of what we were able to do,” said Scott Hubbard, a Lamda Chi Alpha brother and co-director of Greek Week.

“It took my breath away,” said Miracle League Playground Committee Co-Chair, Dan Smith. “My knees felt like they buckled because when they announced that amount it floored us.”

Smith said the Playground Committee was hoping for about $3,000 from the fund-raising efforts.

“We have received great support from the community, but the amount these fraternity and sorority members raised is a huge, huge step towards our goal,” Smith noted.

And the playground wasn’t the only recipient of Greek goodwill. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Pike and Surrounding Counties were given $1,500 and Relay for Life received $1,000.

“Last year we were able to give $8,000 to the International Children’s Heart Foundation, so it was very special that we were able to raise even more this year,” said Chris Hager, coordinator of student involvement and advisor to the Interfraternity Council.

The Greeks held a grill off, banner competitions, Greek Sing and quarter wars as ways to raise some of the money they donated this year. The Miracle League Playground was the main focus of fund-raising.

“We really wanted to beat that total this year and we set the goal for 10,000,” Hubbard said. “It was really overwhelming and exciting. We really worked hard to make this week happen.”

Another plus, Hubbard shared, was that Troy Parks and Recreation Director Dan Smith shared that the largest single donation the playground project had received up until Sunday was $5,000.

“That made it even more exciting for us,” Hubbard said.

With the donation from Troy Greeks, organizers are now only $65,000 away from their $200,000 goal to make the Miracle League Playground a reality. However, there is a deadline looming for fund-raising. Organizers only have until June 1 to garner enough donations to build the playground.

“The donation from Greek Week was just an exciting time and a momentum builder as we put a cap on these fund-raising efforts,” said Committee Co-Chair Ivan Merritt.

The playground will be one of 25 within the Miracle League and will feature a rubberized safety surface that will allow children with walkers, wheelchairs and other special needs to go to transfer stations on the playground. Doublewide ramps will help wheelchairs to travel through the playground easily. There will also be activity panels and other structural features designed to promote creativity for all children – including those with Autism and other needs.

To make a donation, or find out more about the Miracle League Playground, call (334) 566-4031 or email troyrecreation@troycable.net.