JEFFERSON FUND-RAISER UNDER WAY

Parents at Jefferson Elementary School hope in two years time or less to have a new and improved playground at the school.

The parents hope to raise a total of $30,000 to refurbish playground equipment already in place and also to purchase new items, said Tony Osbron, chairman of the special fund-raising committee.

On Nov. 21 parents held an indoor yard sale, bake sale and raffle to kick off the fund-raising efforts. About $1,000 was generated.

The project is a special arm of the Jefferson School Parent-Teacher Association. "We are looking to accomplish this over 18 months to two years," Osbron said.

As money is collected, he explained, improvements will be made. Also, corporate sponsors are being sought to help with the project.

The committee was formed because the playground equipment at the elementary school is aging.

"It's not in the best cosmetic condition," Osbron said.

Principal Gary Kralemann said playground equipment is "old and slowly disintegrating."

"We are down to swings and a jungle gym, and that's it," he said. "The rest is worn out, and because it was unsafe it had to be taken down."

Kralemann said initially the group hoped to be able to purchase items for about $10,000. "But when we went to price items, they were much higher."

He said the new equipment will be handicap accessible. "The items we have in mind are very nice and very expensive."

Osbron said: "Immediately, we hope to dress up the existing playground equipment. We are planning some other fund-raisers and hope to find some corporate sponsors.