Written By Alan Good
NORTH MIDDLESEX - About three years ago a small school in North Middlesex was faced with what then might have been viewed by some as an impossible task. But with community spirit, family unity, and local business generosity, they achieved the impossible.
McGillivray Public School, located just north of Parkhill, serves 134 students. It’s a community-oriented school. “Generational”, is how Michelle Koop, school principal, described it.
Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) deemed their play equipment unsafe and removed all the apparatus, leaving parents in a sudden panic. The estimate for new equipment came in over $100K. The board deemed the playground unsafe but refused to chip in some cash.
That left three mothers, Sarah Mollard, Cayley Thompson, Emily Masschelein, to form a committee and go after whatever funds they could get.
Fast forward to a week ago, where many of the families gathered to view the ribbon cutting on new equipment. They raised $115,000 to cover four new playground stations. Of that amount, $72K came from those families, as well as local businesses.
“I don’t think that you can actually give a testimony to the love and the care and the joy that is right now standing here this evening,” stated Principal Koop, shortly after the brief ceremony.
About 25 kids were seen climbing over the apparatus just before the ribbon cutting, the smiles on their faces and shouts spoke volumes about their new-found play equipment.
“Every contribution mattered, and every act of kindness helped bring us one step closer to this,” stated Sarah Mollard, one of the committee members. “We are incredibly grateful and proud to be part of such a caring and generous community. You helped us build a place where childhood memories will be made for years to come.”
This event proves that you can achieve the seeming unachievable if your heart is fully in it. The families at McGillivray Public School are all in and all heart.
