HOUSTON – All work and no play makes school, well… not very much fun. However, the kids at Rainard School for Gifted Children in the Spring Branch area are willing to work very hard to get their playground back.
Back in August, the school's president Dr. Tara Tomicic, noticed an unwanted guest in her school yard – termites. They had made a home in a structure that the kids titled "Fort Rainard."
"There is a huge empty space where it used to be," explained 9-year-old student Zizi Newhard. "It was made out of wood. They painted it red to look like red wood!"
It had to be torn down and now it's just a wood pile near the dumpster.
"Fort Rainard used to be my favorite thing but now, since it's gone, I really have nothing else to do but swing," explained Zizi.
But swinging just wasn't enough for these kids.
"Once they found out it had to be taken down the students came together and wanted to help fundraise so they could help replace it with another structure," said Tomicic.
An anonymous donor made an offer these kids couldn't refuse; if every student in the lower grade levels raised $100 by Oct. 10, that donor would match their collection three to one. But this isn't your typical fundraiser.
"Rather than tell them, 'you must go sell wrapping paper… you must go sell something,'" Tomicic explained. "They come up with their own creative idea."
Some kids are selling handmade items or hosting lemonade stands. Zizi made a video that she posted on Gofundme.com.
"I think that $100 is a lot of money for a kid to raise just by themselves. It's really hard!" said Zizi. "In the video I say, 'Please feel free to contribute from $5-$5 billion'! Because it doesn't hurt to ask."
Tomicic says fundraising is one more lesson that these students are able to learn.
"It just makes it a little more special for them and it teaches them how to fundraise and how to come together as a team and as a school community."
When all of the money has been raised and the new playground goes up, Zizi says, "It's going to be a really happy moment. Everybody's going to be really proud of themselves and what they did to earn it."
Replacing that structure is expected to cost about $30,000. If you would like to donate, visit: http://www.gofundme.com/fortrainardfund.
