As Sanctuary on 8th Street celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, the organization was pleased to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony May 6 for new playground equipment at its location at 120 E. 8th Street.
The new equipment includes an Explorer Dome from KOMPAN that was purchased earlier this year and installed recently on the grounds of Sanctuary on 8th.
Similar equipment can be found at the Boone Park playground in Avondale, near St. Johns Avenue. The high-quality climbing equipment provides youth of all ages countless ways to be creative, get active, and learn through play.
Funding from the Red Coats of THE PLAYERS Championship (past volunteer chairmen), and Springfield neighbor and long-time donor Diane Graese was critical in securing the new equipment.
UPS provided the mulch and volunteers to install a safety surface below the dome.
“We are grateful to the Red Coats, UPS, Diane Graese, and all our supporters over the years who have helped make the Sanctuary a financially sound organization,” said Rick Cartlidge, executive director for Sanctuary on 8th Street. “Without you, we wouldn’t have been able to invest in this wonderful equipment. Thank you to everyone who helped bring these smiles to our youth's faces!”
Cartlidge and members of the organization’s board of directors were at the ceremony and spoke about the project and answer questions from guests.
“On behalf of THE PLAYERS Championship and all of our Red Coats, we are so excited to see how this new playground equipment is going to benefit youth for years to come,” said Jared Rice, executive director of THE PLAYERS. “As Rick shared, it was truly a community-wide effort in making this project a reality. We are honored to support Sanctuary on 8th Street’s efforts in positively impacting the lives of children and families in the community we call home.”
For 30 years, Sanctuary on 8th Street has provided a safe haven for the Springfield area children after the school day is over.
During those three decades, Sanctuary staff and volunteers have provided a continuum of services annually to more than 100 children ages 5 to 14. The programs encourage and empower these children and their families by ministering to their spiritual, physical, social and intellectual needs.
For more information about the organization, go to sanctuaryon8th.org, call 904-356-3588 or email rick@sanctuaryon8th.org.
