Nearly $12,000 has been donated so far to Friends of Lake Panorama to fund new playground equipment. Friends is raising $70,000 for play equipment, to be split evenly between Boulder and Shady beaches.
A Beach Ball fundraising event will be Saturday, April 18, with all proceeds going to the playground project. The event will be in the Lake Panorama National banquet room, with registration and social hour beginning at 5 p.m.
Just 10 tables remain for sponsorship, as 20 table sponsors already have agreed to participate. Table sponsorship costs $125. Sponsors are asked to decorate their table with a theme of their choice. For those who do not want to decorate their tables, a few volunteers are available for an additional $25 donation.
Each table will accommodate eight guests, with meal tickets costing $40. Half of each meal ticket and the full cost of table sponsorships will go directly to the playground fund.
Table sponsors are encouraged to find eight guests to fill their table, but any empty seats will be filled by those who buy separate meal tickets. Organizers hope most meal tickets are taken by generous people interested in buy items from the auctions and participating in other fundraising events throughout the evening. Attendance is limited to 240 people.
Additional fundraising activities include a raffle; silent and live auctions; buy-a-dessert auction; buy-a-bottomless-beer cup; a 50/50 raffle; and a mini-beach ball drawing for gift cards.
Those interested in sponsoring a table, buying one or more meal tickets, or donating items for the raffle, buy-a-dessert, and live and silent auctions should contact Susan Thompson, staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org, or 515-240-6536.
All funds for table sponsorships and meal tickets will be collected in advance of the event.
Donations to Friends of Lake Panorama are tax-deductible. Donors receive a confirmation letter for tax purposes, both for direct donations at any time, plus contributions made as part of the April 18 Beach Ball.
A sign recognizing all donors of $500 or more will be installed near both playgrounds, with these donors also recognized on the Friends website.
Here’s a description of the playground improvements planned, once Friends reaches its $70,000 fundraising goal. At Shady Beach, existing swings and teeter-totter will be removed to make way for a multi-faceted play set, three swings, and a freestanding “spring rider” designed to accommodate a physically challenged child. The spring rider also has room for two children.
At Boulder Beach, the gray mountain and play set currently there will remain. The spring horses, tire swing and old bathroom will be removed. A freestanding spring rider similar to the one planned for Shady Beach will be added. A new playground nearby will include a play set with features geared to both older and younger kids, plus three swings.