New Playground Equipment For Kids In Meldrim

By Genevieve Rogers

After years of planning and hard work, new playground equipment has finally made it's way to Meldrim Memorial Park.

The old playground equipment is over 35 years old and was formerly used at the Savannah Sugar Refinery before being donated to the park by two Meldrim residents. The Meldrim Civic Club formed the Meldrim Memorial Park Rejuvenation Project with the purpose of purchasing new equipment, so that a new generation of Meldrim children could enjoy the park.

Meldrim Civic Club President, Stephen Newsome, who has been a driving force in the project, sees the equipment as a dream fulfilled and new chapter for the tight knit community.

"I sure am proud of what we've accomplished. I think that we've exceeded every one's expectations, not just within the community, but all over Effingham County. It's simply incredible, and it fulfills a great need for the Meldrim community. I'm very proud of the role that I played in making this happen."

Mr. Newsome says that along with the money from fundraisers, grants on the local and state level also contributed towards the equipment. In addition to the $12,500 raised from the Meldrim Civic Club, the state of Georgia granted $25,000 to the project, and the Effingham County Commissioners and Effingham County Parks and Recreation gave $20,000.

"We had barbecue dinner fundraisers and our annual Halloween Carnival over the past several years with the money earmarked solely for the equipment and improvements. As we were having fundraisers, I was in constant contact with state and local officials to try and receive matching grants for the project as we reached our deadline. They came through for us with shining colors."

The project has been a community effort and Mr. Newsome hopes that the residents of Meldrim will continue to come out and enjoy the fruits of their labor for generations to come.

"Just think about what we've done. We worked hard for this as a community. We didn't just stand around and ask for things. We worked hard for what we have and I can assure you that all of the help we received from everyone on all levels is greatly appreciated. From the matching grants and barbecue dinners sold, right on down to every ticket purchased at the annual Meldrim Halloween Carnival, it was all for a great cause. I hope that all of the people that bought dinners and supported us bring their families to enjoy our new playground and to see what they helped us to accomplish."

A video history of the project can be found on the Meldrim website at www.meldrim.com.

The Meldrim Civic Club would like to thank the following people for making this project a success:

Meldrim Civic Club: The participation and support of the people within the community is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to the Members of the Meldrim Civic Club and it's officers for their tireless dedication.

Georgia State Senator Jack Hill and Georgia State Representative Buddy Carter: We would like to thank Georgia State Senator Jack Hill and Georgia State Representative Buddy Carter once again for securing a grant for the playground rejuvenation project. The funds received as a result of their hard work is the single largest funding amount that we have ever received. Their continuing support and love of the Meldrim Community is greatly appreciated.

Effingham County Commissioners and Effingham County Parks and Recreation: We would like to thank Hubert C. Sapp (Meldrim Commissioner), Myra W. Lewis, Jeffrey A. Utley, Reginald Loper, and Verna Phillips of the Effingham County Board of Commissioners for their assistance. They worked hard to get the funds for our project included into the budget. Also, we would like to thank Clarence Morgan and the Board of Directors at the Effingham County Parks and Recreation for their part in making this happen as well as their continued support.