Shortly after 2:30 p.m., Principal Joe Robbins accepted a donation of $277 from Hannah Blacklock on Friday, November 1, 2013. The presentation took place in his office at Southside School, 100 Academic Drive, Morrison, IL. Blacklock is Co-President of a dynamic youth service group at Morrison High School: Key Club. Gwen Rickertsen is Faculty Advisor; Kris Bielema is Kiwanis Advisor. Students meet during homeroom, so all grade levels can attend. There are currently “about 50” members, stated Blacklock.
This summer, members gathered at Emmanuel Reformed Church’s Christ Center on Wednesday, July 24, to host the 3rd annual Summer Blood Drive, through Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Key Club earns grant money for hosting, gaining more money as more donors participate for blood drives in March and July. Key Club chose to donate funds to the PTO for playground equipment at Northside and Southside Grade Schools, in memory of teacher Pam Bush. Earlier, bicycles for the Morrison Community Day Care Center came from a Key Club donation.
Robbins explained a fund raising campaign to memorialize Bush, whose goal was “peaceful playgrounds” at Northside and Southside Schools. She fostered non-competitive play. Northside playground must be resealed in the spring, he said; Southside could also use a resurfacing. After that the School District will fund painting of Pam’s Paths at both sites. There will be walking paths on the playgrounds, where students–or adults–will walk 50 steps and then pause to perform a simple, low-impact physical activity, such as ten jumping-jacks.
Robbins estimated the resealing of the playground surfaces will cost between $4500 and $6500. Extra monies raised will purchase general playground equipment. The Key Club assisted by adding their donation to the others:
- $277–Key Club
- $1000–PTO
- about $1200–Morrison Vacation Bible School
- $2000–Pam Bush Memorial Fund
- $5000–Make Teal Real Committee.
Both buildings will have outdoor memorial plaques to honor Bush.