Students and children in Shelton love the playground behind Sunnyside School but wear-and-tear on the equipment over the years has left it in desperate need of an upgrade. So, the Parent-Teacher Organization is taking action to build a new one that’s state-of-the-art and ADA compliant.
To do that, they will need to raise approximately $60,000. Since word of their mission got out, support has been rolling in from parents, community organizations and local businesses, including Eversource which also made a $2,500 financial contribution.
“The support from Eversource was what made us exceed our fundraising mark for 2017,” said Sunnyside School Principal Amy Yost.
“Sunnyside Elementary students, staff and parents have a big goal and to surpass their goal for this year shows their true dedication and we commend them for that,” said Eversource Community Relations Specialist Mark Massaro. “We’re committed to serving the neighborhoods where we live and work and supporting the new playground is a great way to give back to this community.”
To celebrate the first year of fundraising, Yost recently volunteered to be “dunked” by her students in a massive dunk tank in the gymnasium. One-by-one students, with a ball in hand, stepped up to the plate to have the chance to send their principal into icy water. The top 10 students that raised the most money along with the top 10 students with the most acts of kindness tossed a softball as hard as they could at the target. Yost’s smile never left her face, even after being dunked numerous times.
From left, Jessica Scerbo and Katie Dansereau, members of Sunnyside School PTO
“I’m always up for having fun with the students,” Yost said. “We want them to be able to have a good time and enjoy this process.”
While students collected donations for the playground through Raise Craze fundraising, the school coupled this with the two week long “Look for Good” gratitude campaign. Students reflect daily and share what they are grateful for in their lives.
Sunnyside Elementary School PTO President Jessica Scerbo and PTO member Katie Dansereau, spearheaded the fundraising initiatives. They were amazed to see how well the students worked together while remembering to stay kind. Students helped at local shelters, gave toys to children’s hospitals, and got involved in their communities.
“We have a small elementary school, but our students have made such a huge impact,” said Scerbo. “We’re very proud of that.”
