In an effort to provide more and better facilities for the children of Washington, W-WPRD Director Pete Gartrell has embarked on a program to attract large donations for the purpose of refurbishing the Whitehall Playground.

Starting with local churches, Gartrell hopes to involve any and all individuals and organizations in the effort and is seeking to raise up to $40,000 in donations and matching grants. The money will be used to redevelop the playground with new equipment, rest rooms, basketball goals, tables, benches, and trash receptacles.

"All of these are desperately needed items for the playground," Gartrell said in his letter to churches. "Each day after school, Whitehall Playground serves nearly 125 children through its A-Star program. The playground equipment the children currently use is both outdated and unsafe. The new playground equipment would greatly enhance our recreational component and make the playground more desirable to children," the letter states.

Springfield Baptist Church of Washington, New Ford Baptist Church of Tignall, and Greater Level Hill Baptist Church of Crawfordville have already contributed to the project. Gartrell is hoping for many more.

He is also targeting people who are not in Washington any more.

"I really think there are some people out there somewhere who maybe played on the playground when they were children and now would be willing to help with some sizable donations," Gartrell said. He is actively looking for anyone with a connection to the Whitehall Playground, now successful but maybe otherwise disconnected from Washington, who may want to help keep the playground in good shape.

The letter went on to say that "New playground equipment would greatly increase the scope of how many children the Summer Lunch/ Playground Program could accommodate.

"Redevelopment of Whitehall Playground is a necessity if we are to keep our youth off the streets. Whitehall Playground provides children with a safe place to play and learn lessons that they will carry with them throughout their lives.

"The area near Whitehall Playground also plays host to many family reunions and gatherings. The plan to redevelop Whitehall Playground would also benefit these family reunions by providing the families with many accommodations that they would otherwise have to do without. The redevelopment plan would also improve the overall beauty of the Reese J. Booker Center itself."

"Please help the W-WPRD by sponsoring our effort to make the Whitehall Playground a better place to play and socialize. We are seeking donations of $100 or more."