Lavonia Pilot Club Closer to Goal for Playground Equipment

The Lavonia Pilot Club is getting closer to its goal for the purchase of playground equipment for special needs children.

The equipment will be added to the new children’s playground area at Lavonia City Park.

Pilot Club member Sarah Young said Thursday the club is almost at their $50,000 goal, thanks to their successful benefit and silent auction last weekend.

The dinner and auction were held at Sweet Combs of Honey last Saturday and Young thanked the community for their outpouring of support.

Young says the playground equipment project came about last year when the Club was approached by Mayor Courtney Umbehant who asked them to consider taking it on.

From there a committee was formed and research began into what types of playground equipment is available and the cost.

The committee settled on three pieces of equipment including a glider that fit a wheelchair, a stationary cycle that two children can use but includes a side that accommodates a wheelchair and some large music equipment that any child can use.

The total cost of the equipment and installation Young said is $75,000.

Young said so far, the Pilot Club has managed to raise about 90% of their share of the money needed to purchase and install the equipment.

The City of Lavonia is also sharing in the cost.

In addition to the fundraising, the Pilot Club, according to Young, has also written two grants and they hope to hear soon whether they will be awarded one or both.

Young said two more fundraisers are coming up this month and in March. Both are at Chick-fil-A in Lavonia.

The first is a carnival on February 26 and another will be held March 26 that will be a Touch the Truck event for children.

“We will get 10% of the proceeds raised from 9:30a to 11:30a. So with what we raise there and if we get the grants, we may reach our goal. Our goal is $50,000. We’re so pleased to be able to do that for the community, to pay it forward. That’s what it’s all about in the Pilot Club,” she said.

To become a corporate or business sponsor or to get more information on donating, you can contact Pilot Club of Lavonia treasurer Avaline Adams at 706-491-6198 or email [email protected].