Portage-based nonprofit Hannah’s Hope got 14,934 steps closer to their playground on Friday, thanks to a donation from Nielson Subaru of Portage.
The organization, founded in 2010, plans to build an all-inclusive playground at Founder’s Square in Portage. Hannah’s Hope also offers financial support to local parents of special needs kids. They want to be able to help everyone, even if it is just a little bit.
“Our dream will be a reality this year,” said Hannah’s Hope Co-Founder Mary Martinez.
The organization is scheduled to break ground on the playground in late August. The structure will feature play equipment that has been designed for the accessibility of all children, like swings with added support and platforms that a child can explore with their wheelchair.
“We don’t have a specific goal number yet,” said Martinez, “But we have a lot more fundraising to do. We met with the design company this morning and made some final choices. Now we just need to pick the ground cover.”
The choice between poured-in-place rubber or turf will affect the estimated price of the project. Fortunately, they have a few more fundraising opportunities coming up before the deadline, including a golf outing, the MOMentum 5k, and A Night Under the Stars Gala.
The Gala, hosted at Woodland Park on May 6th, is already expected to be a hit. Nearly 400 people have RSVPed for the night of dining, dancing, and fundraising. Tickets can be purchased at the Hannah’s Hope website.
Castle Subaru’s check presentation made a huge contribution to their goal.
“It’s worth mentioning that our first major donor was Subaru, 3 years ago,” said Hannah’s Hope’s Secretary Niki Avina. "They were the first ones to support us. We are really grateful to them, and to the customers who shop here.”
This is the third year in a row that Hannah’s Hope has been a beneficiary of Subaru’s "Share the Love" event. Every time a car is sold, the customer chooses out of five national and local charities to donate $250 of the ticket price to. Over $23.4 million was donated in 2016 to nonprofits all over the country. $14,934 of that went to Hannah’s Hope.
Castle Subaru co-owner Rob McFarland, said, “When we give back, it makes a better community. That’s important for us [to do]. Hannah’s Hope puts so much hope in kids. They’re able to give children a better life.”
Subaru plans to donate volunteers for the construction of the playground. Hannah’s Hope is expecting a four day build, standard for the playscape they chose.
“I think it’s really nice that [we’re] able to give back to the community,” said Subaru’s Service Coordinator, Cyndi Frederick. She facilitated the check presentation between her company and Hannah’s Hope. “There is such a broad spectrum to what we can do to help. Subaru is a newer company here, and being a part of the community lets us set our roots. It lets the community get to know us.”
For more information on Hannah's Hope, click here.