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For Immediate Release
December 8, 2005
Sisters of Mercy Give $25,000 Playground to
Oklahoma City Elementary School
Oklahoma City—Splintered wooden teeter
totters and other outdated playground equipment will give way to a new
and safe playground for Linwood Elementary, thanks to a $25,000 grant
from the Sisters of Mercy.
“Besides providing safer equipment for our children
to play on, there is also research that shows that recess and playtime
are critical in learning and social development,” said Kathy Draper,
principal of Oklahoma City’s Linwood Elementary. “By being able to
purchase new equipment, we can provide our students with a safe setting
where they can play hard and have fun. We couldn’t dream up a better
gift this Christmas season.”
According to research cited in the ERIC Digest, the
level of physical activity after school is higher in children who
participate in daily recess. Recess also provides a valuable time for
adults to observe children’s social behaviors.
This year the Sisters of Mercy, based in St. Louis,
Missouri, awarded nearly $500,000 to 17 programs across the nation. The
$25,000 Caritas grant, named after the Latin word “caritas” which means
charity, was recently awarded to Linwood Elementary.
“Christmas is about giving,” said Gaylene Stiles,
manager of Mercy’s community outreach. “What could mean more than making
340 students smile this holiday season. Mercy has made a commitment to
Linwood, and we will continue to reach out in any way we can. Our Mercy
engineers and other co-workers are even installing the playground
equipment.”
Besides the grant, more than 60 Mercy co-workers
dedicate an hour each week to tutor a Linwood student. Mercy has also
donated furnishings, school supplies and received a $4,900 grant that
gave every staff member pocket money for additional educational tools
this school year. Mercy co-workers are also putting together goody bags
filled with books and school supplies for each child this Christmas.
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