Spaghetti supper and auction raise funds for new swings

Windsor Forks District School students held their most successful fundraiser to date Wednesday May 29. The annual spaghetti supper and silent auction raised just under $3,500, which will go toward the Grade 6 class trip and new playground equipment.

With a little help from their teachers and parent volunteers, the class doled out hundreds of plates piled high with spaghetti, and bowls of ice cream. Playground project coordinator Lori Anne Kelly was amazed with the turnout that evening. “This is the largest crowd we’ve ever had; we were a little bit blown away, actually.”

Dozens of local business made donations for the auction, including some big-ticket items such as a barbecue worth $200 from Home Depot and a gazebo valued at $150 from the Windsor Super Store. There were hundreds of other items and door prizes, as well.

Kelly said the school has focused all of its fundraising efforts over the past year toward the new playground equipment; the original 30-year-old swing sets, in particular. “They were hand-made to begin with, but are well past needing replacement and meeting new safety guidelines.”

She pointed out that, although the swings are checked for safety each year, they may not hold up much longer. “We’ve really had to baby them.”

The school has not received word yet if its grant applications for the new equipment have been approved, but Kelly feels confident it can pull it off for next fall. “We’re still soliciting cash donations and the School board has committed to a cost share.”

The new equipment could cost between $40,000 and $65,000 with a new swing set being the top priority. “We’d like to install a new climbing apparatus, as well,” Kelly said, “but, either way, we’re getting new swings, no matter what.”