Editor’s Note: Since the writing of this article the committee has reached their goal to build a new playground
There are quite a number of differences between when current high school senior Matthew Sarnowski attended Trafford Elementary to today; one the biggest is the current missing playground.
Trafford Elementary was forced to remove its playground in August 2023 when the district maintenance department deemed it unsafe; since then many people, including Sarnowski, have been pitching in to help.
Sarnowski is a star track athlete competing in javelin, shot put and discus; he has been competing in track since he was in 7th grade. Since then he has risen to become one of the best throwers, placing 3rd at states in discus last year.
On top of working his hardest to make his senior season his best season, Sarnowski has also decided to use this season to help Trafford Elementary students get a playground through the Throws for Trafford fundraiser.
“I just felt like a playground was important, they do not have one and I figured I could do something about it and it just sort of spiraled from there,” stated Sarnowski.
Sarnowksi chose to do this fundraiser on his own accord after his next-door neighbor and Trafford Elementary PTO President Melissa Daykon brought up the issue of the missing playground to him.
The way the fundraiser works is that people are able to donate money for every foot he throws, and then that money will go towards the playground. It started at the beginning of the track season and will continue through playoffs.
On top of the Throws for Trafford fundraiser, there have been multiple other playground fundraisers including a “Night at the Races,” door decorating competitions, relay races for students and a hot chocolate stand. Between all these different fundraisers, organizers are hoping to raise $251,456, which will build the complete playground with rubber surface. They are also waiting to hear back from some grants they are trying to receive. But why all these different fundraisers, why all this work just for a playground?
3rd Grader Eli Bell participates in a relay race fundraiser
“When children learn through movement and play, there are many benefits such as improved socialization/relationships, higher test scores, regulatory skills needed for focus and attention, and improved mood and mental health,” stated Daykon.
The PTO is responsible for securing the funds, and then once they receive the full funds they will be using General Recreation, INC. to build the actual playground. They are not sure at this time how long it will take to hit the $251,456 goal, but once they do reach sufficient funds it will take about four to six weeks for the equipment to arrive and then it will be quickly assembled. They hope by the first day of next school year it will be completed and ready for student use.
On top of the PTO, a committee was also created made up of teachers, Michael Bujdos, Jamie Witek and Kim Zombek, principal Dan DiNapoli and Daykon. Together they brainstormed fundraisers and created a GoFundMe page. They also applied for multiple grants which was a difficult process.
“The grant writing process can be overwhelming, and many times we have been denied,” stated Bujdos. “We [the committee] were successful on a few, and we still have some out there that we are waiting to hear back from”.
The committee would like to thank everyone who has donated time, resources, money and effort to the fundraiser.
“The amount of time and work put into making this happen is unbelievable. The Trafford community and our playground committee have been fantastic and I thank them for that” stated DiNapoli.
The staff, parents, other schools in the district, former students and current students have all been working hard to make elementary school as enjoyable for these kids as possible. If you would like to donate to Sarnowski’s Throws for Trafford the link is https://throws-for-trafford-playground.square.site/
“The students not only need a playground, they deserve one,” stated Bujdos.