South Elgin receives $10,000 for special needs playground
Submitted by South Elgin Parks and Recreation FUNdation
The South Elgin Parks and Recreation FUNdation recently announced that it has received a $10,000 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
The award is one of 69 grants totaling almost $425,000 awarded by the Reeve Foundation to nonprofit organizations nationwide that aid in providing more opportunities, access and daily quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, their families and caregivers. The program has awarded 2,055 grants totaling over $15.6 million since 1999.
The FUNdation will use the grant for the development of the SEBA Park project for the “ALL Abilities and DISabilities Playground” in downtown South Elgin.
“Building this inclusive regional destination playground and play environment is so important for thousands of community families of Fox Valley and throughout the region,” said Karen Cluchey, FUNdation Playground Committee chairwoman. “These families with children and/or adults who have challenges and limitations due to their disabilities will be able to enjoy the wonders of play, increase imagination, build social skills and memories that will last a lifetime.”
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grants program was conceived by Dana Reeve to address the myriad needs of children and adults with paralysis and other mobility impairments and their families. Grants support initiatives that improve physical and emotional health and increase independence. Funded projects offer a diversity of services and approaches: improving access, providing education and job training, sponsoring organized sporting activities and much more. Quality of Life grants are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The Reeve Foundation believes that each of the nearly six million Americans living with paralysis deserves access to the best programs and services available,” said Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. “The Quality of Life Grants Program supports other nonprofit organizations that not only believe in that same independence, but achieve great success in carrying out their program’s missions. We are honored to recognize these organizations which empower those affected by paralysis.”
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovation research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information, and to review the entire list of Quality of Life grant recipients, visit their website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.
The South Elgin Parks and Recreation FUNdation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the residents of the Village of South Elgin through the development, implementation and funding of recreation, education and conservation programs, services and facilities.