Greetings,
My name is Jenny Garvin. My husband, Mike, and I would like to personally invite you to help us in raising money for “Ashley & Friends Playground”, a barrier-free playground we are helping to construct at Miller Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
The Story Behind Our Cause:
Our daughter, Ashley, is five years old. She has cerebral palsy and as a result, uses a wheelchair for her mobility needs. We also have four-year-old twin girls, Isabel and Abigail. We are constantly in search of activities that our entire family can enjoy together. All children love playing at the park and ours are no exception. However, going to the park with Ashley is difficult because most of the equipment is inaccessible to children in a wheelchair or too difficult for her to use given her physical challenges.
We began to explore barrier-free playground structures and had a goal of bringing this concept to the extensive Eden Prairie park system. A barrier-free playground has accessible pathways and surface structure as well as gives non-mobile children and adults the opportunity to reach all levels of the play structure. This design will allow Ashley and other children with physical challenges to be given the opportunity to play alongside their peers in all areas of the playground structure.
Our Current Progress:
On behalf of our family, The Kathy & Tom Miller Family Foundation pledged over $100,000 toward the barrier-free playground. The City of Eden Prairie has designated land at Miller Park for the project, which will be phase one of a three-part renovation of the existing park. The new and improved Miller Park will have a nautical theme throughout each of the three phases. Mike and I are now trying to raise an additional $150,000 for the park renovation and barrier-free equipment.
How You Can Help:
There will be two main fundraising events this fall. A short description of the events can be found below. More information on the events can be found underneath the "Fundraiser Information" section on the website.
· Gathering at McCoy’s Public House restaurant & bar in St. Louis Park on Monday, October 6th from 5:30-8:30 pm. The event will include appetizers and beverages and a short presentation on the park.
· Leave a legacy in Eden Prairie! We will be collecting donations to the park through the enclosed response card. All persons donating $300 or more toward the park will receive an engraved paver stone that will be placed at the entrance to the park. These stones will be a lasting memory of your generous contribution to this wonderful cause.
· Lastly, if you are unable to attend the event or purchase a paver, we would greatly appreciate any monetary donations you are willing and able to make. 100% of all donations will go directly to the park. Donations can be made to the Kathy & Tom Miller Family Foundation, a 501c3 and charitable non-profit and are tax deductible. Donations can be mailed to:
Directions to McCoy's Public House
To view the article from the Eden Prairie Newspaper on the barrier-free playground, please click on the following link
