Grant needs votes for kids

Casting an online vote once a day through March 24 could help the California Elementary School receive new playground equipment.

Voters in the Together Counts Healthy Playground Makeover sweepstakes are encouraged to take pledges to "eat a family meal together" and "do a family activity together."

Once the initial registration has been made, additional daily voting may be made simply by entering one's email address.

Faculty and staff inside the school have been voting, thanks to daily reminders from the office, said third-grade teacher Aimee Doll.

"In the past with grants like these, we have found a better success rate with daily reminders including the link," she said.

But, since this grant sweepstakes is national, Doll said the school could benefit from additional daily votes from the community.

The school could be eligible for one of the three grand prizes - $30,000 in prizes for school wellness program and a new playground from Playworld, or three runner-up prizes - $5,000 for school wellness program.

"The grant is important for us because we want to continue to encourage outdoor play as a healthy option for kids," Doll said. "Allowing them to be exposed to different forms of play they cannot normally do at home, is a great way to add variety to how our students play."

The potential of the grant would enhance the existing equipment donated recently by the PTO.

"There will always be upkeep to equipment as over 600-plus students play on it daily," Doll said. "It is important to us to continue to have fun, engaging equipment and be able to replace and update equipment as it wears down.

"This grant can help keep our equipment updated, add newer equipment, and even help us keep our recess shed filled with quality recess balls."

Link:

www.togethercounts.com/at-school/win-for-your-school/sweepstakes