CHICOPEE – School Committee member James Tanhauser’s experience working at the Stefanik School has inspired him to start a crowd-sourcing campaign to benefit the effort to build a playground for the school.

Tanhauser told Reminder Publishing the school has apparently never had a playground. He added the city is now applying for grants to fund one, but he wanted to help.

“I’m trying to make a difference and I’m doing it as a private citizen,” he said.

His goal is to raise $1,000 through GoFundMe and so far people have contributed $445. The campaign can be seen at https://www.gofundme.com/funds-for-stefanik-?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_dn_cpgnstaticxlarge_r&fbclid=IwAR0ROAfWMGOqihYEkH0coXIRse18KMKc7uf_ho3B3wf0OrtOsduOycPQ3uc.    

He explained the funds would be contributed to the city’s general fund and then allocated to the project by the City Council.

He wrote on GoFundMe: “I am conducting this GoFundMe campaign as a private citizen of Chicopee. No city resources have been or will be used to promote, raise funds, or interact with donors. Upon the completion of this campaign, the total of funds will be gifted to the city for appropriation to the playground, pending a vote by the City Council to approve the funds.

“As we enter 2019, Gen. John J. Stefanik Elementary School still remains without a playground. With all of Chicopee’s investments into infrastructure, consolidation of departments, new job positions, and future projects, one of our elementary schools continue to live bell-to-bell without one of the most basic qualities of an American elementary school.

“For four summers (2013-2016), I had the privilege and pleasure of working as a summer custodian at Stefanik. The school has some of our city’s best educators, staff, and students that you could ever meet. At the time, during summer school, they would battle through extremely hot temperatures that the non-air conditioned school would get to.

“Given the area and the lack of ‘recess’ activities that Sarah Jane Park has, a playground would allow Stefanik students to properly enjoy and utilize their recess time.

“Currently, our city has attempted to budget some funds aside, while also waiting upon potential grant money. Regardless, I feel that this playground is long overdue for Stefanik. I believe that since Stefanik has been forced to wait so long for this, our community can band together and put forth our best effort to give Stefanik School Community the best possible playground.

“In advance, thank you so much for your support of Chicopee students and, more specifically, Stefanik School's students. The way our community can band together for a good cause continues to be one of the best qualities of Chicopee and the surrounding areas.”