Jackson Jaycees give money for all-accessible playground

A third organization has donated funds to an all-accessible playground in Cape Girardeau County.

On Friday, Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp, secretary-treasurer of the Jackson Jaycees Charitable Foundation, presented a $10,000 check to Andrea Cunningham, a driving force behind Melaina's Magical Playground. The money was used from the funds left over from the foundation's sale seven years ago of a building at 1820 Old Toll Road in Jackson.

Kamp said the foundation voted to set aside the money in April but delayed presenting the check until a $22,000 CD matured.

"We are careful in who we give money to from this fund, and this looked like a good project that would help a need that exists in Southeast Missouri," Kamp said.

The playground is named in memory of Cunningham's daughter, Melaina, a 3-year-old who died of complications from pneumonia in March. Melaina had suffered from nemaline myopathy, a disease that causes low muscle tone.

"We're grateful and honored they chose our organization to give to," Cunningham said of the foundation. "This is a way to carry on her memory."

Proposed to be built at Cape County Park North, the playground will have equipment for people of all abilities and ages. Other features include all-accessible restrooms and handicapped parking.

The playground is modeled after Zachary's Playground in Lake Saint Louis, Mo. Much like Cunningham's efforts, a not-for-profit organization called Unlimited Play spearheaded efforts to raise money to buy equipment throughout a four-year period. Dedicated in April 2007, the park includes many of the same features Melaina's Magical Playground could have.

In addition to the foundation, the Cape Girardeau Noon Optimist Club has donated $100,000 to the cause and the Cape Girardeau County Commission pledged $150,000 to the project.

Cunningham, with the help of state Rep. Scott Lipke, is applying for a $300,000 grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. The remainder of the funds will be given through donations and fundraisers, such as a March 8 walkathon at the Osage Community Centre. Sponsored by St. Paul Lutheran School in Jackson, the walkathon from 8:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. will involve students from preschool through third grade, as well anyone else wishing to participate.

Cunningham said they are still well short of the $750,000 needed for the playground to become reality.

Once $500,000 is given, Cunningham said, construction on the park can begin, with more features added once the remaining donations are accumulated. She estimates it would take around six months to complete the playground once the donations are given.

Donations to the playground may be made by mailing a check to Melaina Cunningham and Friends Park Fund, P.O. Box 211, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, MO