Westgate Elementary

Amy_Dickinson   1 day later

Congratulations to everybody! Your hard work is really inspiring. I can already tell this is going to be a well-love and well-used playground.

tinajolley   8 months later

This is awful. Just laying on the ground-it's like we don't care, but some of us really do.

nate   about 12 hours later

YEA!! Awesome team!

nate   3 days later

Awesome article, and great to see the old equipment removed! Very exciting!

wolfefritz   1 day later

Hello Nate, It took me a good month to get over 4-5 months of non-stop fundraising. YES! we made our goal and then some. First, as a result of all the PR from the Kaboom contest, we received outside donations. Through the PR, Pilchuck Constructions volunteered their professional services of demolition / removal, site prep. This will save us approx. $13,000 off the projected budget. We held a community pep rally & school walk a thon in April and then we topped it off w/ a Washington Wine tasting event (along w/ live auction, fund a need auction and dessert dash) in May. We had a local foundation donate a significant amount of money. All these efforts have resulted in meeting our goal. In addition, we are adding park benches and new basketball hoops (which were not part of the initial plan). The playground will go under construction this summer and we will have a ribbon cutting when school starts. I get to take some time off. School is out today (we are late in the PNW) and it is FINALLY sunny and a balmy 73 degrees. Yeeha! When I get some time, I will upload photos of our events for folks to see. Both were a complete blast for the community and very rewarding for both me and Candy. Sincerely, Karen

nate   2 days later

Wow Karen! It's great to hear about the success you've had since the contest, and I'm so happy that you have reached (and even surpassed!) your fundraising goal. It's also great to hear the positive influence that the contest had on your project, as difficult as it was, and even though you didn't win. It's fantastic that you have been able to engage your community at such a high level, and I absolutely love this picture of you, the Mayor, the Principal, and Candy! Who will be installing your playground? Do you have the design yet? I would love to see it if/when you do!

wolfefritz   about 4 hours later

We hit the streets waving to motorists and asking for HELP!

wolfefritz   15 minutes later

Your sons have to be so excited to be on the news too! Very cool for the kids!

wolfefritz   8 minutes later

Forgot to add in the link to the online article at King 5: http://www.king5.com/news/education/Edmonds-school-in-national-contest-to-win-new-playground-87536392.html

revilogfx   about 8 hours later

I requested my Westgate video entry run 4 more times this Saturday morning. Request Approved!!! See anchor Meg Coyle introduce the video 4 additional times... 6am, 7am, 8am, 9am, shows with more encouragement for viewers to vote every day!! At a guess the last chance to see live on air will be 9:40am providing no new breaking stories. Before the KING coverage yesterday we were falling behind by 500 votes or so, after the coverage we gained bigtime and sneaked back into the lead by just a few votes!... With the additional coverage this Saturday morning we can hope for Westgate to pull far ahead!!! Keep the reminders out for everybody to vote every day!!

CGaul   about 10 hours later

Thanks Oliver. You made this happen for Westgate and we all appreciate you very much! The kids and parents are so excited. Thanks for getting the additional segments! We need all the votes we can get and it's getting the word out big time!

revilogfx   about 10 hours later

Breaking News kicked us out the 8am hour But Westgate segment back in 9:40am. Time for viewers computers to be warmed up and ready to vote!

revilogfx   about 10 hours later

Our video just aired early.. 9:15am (not 9:40am)!! 3 repeat viewings today total.

wolfefritz   27 minutes later

Thanks Adriana, This has been a long, hard road w/ multiple community fundraiser & a year of grant writing. Believe me... I had my doubts that we would ever get to this 'happy' place where our playground is within our reach. Thanks so much to Kaboom for this opportunity to be in the spotlight. The boost has been tremendous and a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together.

nate   less than a minute later

That's awesome news. Congrats!

sarahpinsky   12 minutes later

That's great! What a boost that will be to your efforts. You'll get to $90K in no time!

CGaul   about 9 hours later

It's going to be so easy to talk about our project with all this excitement! It's amazing to see how building a playground and neighborhood park brings so many people together - and in a time when things are tough for so many! A big thanks to all the people in our community and Kaboom! Bring on construction in July!!!

wolfefritz   about 9 hours later

Let us know how it all goes. While you are down there at city hall, ask them all to give us their votes on Kaboom!

CGaul   1 day later

Great news team!! Rob Baumgartner and I met with Edmonds City Council members this evening to talk about our project and formally request the funds for our playground project. We were told, "this is a no brainer" and will be put on the consent agenda for approval. The city completely supports our project. Another hurdle down and in the home stretch! On to the next fundraiser this Friday - 6pm-8pm Bingo/Silent Auction in the gym. Everyone is welcome!

wolfefritz   1 day later

Candy, That is SOOO awesome! I heard that the council members are also voting on our video!

sarahpinsky   2 days later

Congratulations!!!

wolfefritz   3 days later

Check out our community feature story at the Edmonds Beacon. will run through 3/18/10. http://www.edmondsbeacon.com/community-features/article.exm/2010-03-11_westgate_community_rallies_to_meet_june_deadline

CGaul   3 days later

I've gotten a few calls today about the article! Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow after we are featured on King 5 TV news broadcast! See everyone at the Bingo/Silent Auction fundraiser tomorrow night from 6pm-8pm in the gym. On FIRE!!!!!

revilogfx   3 days later

The Westgate playground story should air around 6:40pm Friday on KING depending on any last minute breaking news. We will get to see a segment of my "HELP" video. And the hope is to provide a link for new voters.. All very exciting. For anyone who is unable to watch the video I will also make a copy of the broadcast segment and post link for all to see : )

ACDonatone   1 day later

I agree - way to go Karen for getting this together. These kids are really in need of new, safe and up to code equipment !

keleighm   5 days later

I second that! Such a great depiction of the need for a new playground ... and so great how the community is rallying around getting it built.

nate   26 days later

Karen - take a look at the painting activities side project website. It has a bunch of creative learning opportunity painting ideas.

mjhbeck   5 days later

Westgate definitely needs a new playground!!! Thanks to Candy and Karen and everyone else for making this project a reality. See you at the fundraisers. Mike Hollenbeck

CGaul   about 1 month later

Thanks Karen! Great way to show the community what Westgate Elementary is up to!!

wolfefritz   about 1 month later

Check out our story online w/ Edmonds Beacon. will run through 3/18/10 http://www.edmondsbeacon.com/community-features/article.exm/2010-03-11_westgate_community_rallies_to_meet_june_deadline