Moses Lake students help fund park
Courtesy photoChief Moses Middle School Builders Club President Connor Wytco collects money at Safeway during the weekend to build Gen. James H. Doolittle Park.
Kids generated several hundred dollars
MOSES LAKE - Chief Moses Middle School students collected hundreds of dollars so far, in an ongoing fund-raiser for Gen. James H. Doolittle Park.
Students are contributing to the park's construction by competing between grade levels and staff to collect the most pennies. Hosted by the school's Builders Club, the "Penny Drive War" is one way the club is helping to benefit the project.
Any money turned in other than pennies is deducted from the total, so that a group who turns in the most money can still "lose." Teams with the least amount of pennies collected, receive pies in the face.
Eighth-grade student Ashley Donaldson, seventh-grade student Cameron Law, Sixth-grade student Amber Frakes and staff member Randy Moore all agreed to be pied if their group loses.
In addition, Builders Club members stood at Safeway Saturday and Sunday collecting money from the community.
"Just in paper money, we collected over $700," said Builders Club President Connor Wytco, 13.
Connor Wytco and his brother Calvin Wytco, 11, stood for nine hours at Safeway collecting money for the park. They passed out volunteer forms for people interested in helping with construction.
"Overall, I think that this is going to a good cause, something that a lot of people in Moses Lake will enjoy for a long time," Connor Wytco said.
A $100 bill was donated by one individual, who placed the money in the staff jar. Following the rule of deduction, when the donation came in Calvin envisioned Moore getting pied in the face.
Builders Club Advisor Carolyn Goodman estimated $730 in cash donations was brought in during the two days.
Connor Wytco said the children in north Moses Lake need a large playground that will last.
"The base people, they're not the richest people on the block, so not as many toys come in for the kids," Wytco said.
He said Goodman brought students treats like hot cocoa, donuts and chicken while they collected money at Safeway.
"All those little yummy things," he said.
He and Calvin Wytco are planning to volunteer during the park's construction. He noted one of their siblings is a student at North Elementary School, where their mom is a teacher.
The "Penny Drive War" at Chief Moses Middle School ends Feb. 22.
For more information on Gen. James H. Doolittle Park, call Tara Childs at 509-771-0074.