Watson Elementary School has been awarded $5,000 by the Robert H. Mollohan Family Charitable Foundation, Inc. The grant is designated for the Growing Up Fun Project to complete the handicapped accessible playground at Watson Elementary School.

The Growing Up Fun Project is being conducted by a group of concerned parents, students, and community members of Marion County. The group’s primary mission and purpose is to build a completely handicapped accessible playground.

Currently, there are no playgrounds within Marion County that can accommodate children who have special needs. In order to foster their growth and development, as well as the social interaction of these children, the Growing Up Fun Project members hope to construct a playground that specifically allows children with special needs to experience the same joys that other children participate in, while in a playground setting.

There is a tremendous need to provide access to this underserved population. This playground will be available to all children of Marion County, but will specifically ensure recreation, growth, and development for 840 children with special needs. The Growing Up Fun Project anticipates that this specially designed playground will be an overwhelming success to surrounding communities.

The construction of the playground will occur August 9-12 with a ribbon cutting scheduled for the evening of the 12^th.

For more information about the Growing Up Fun Project or to volunteer, please contact Leah Heimbach at 304.368.0288.