In less than one month, community volunteers will begin building a playground at Powder Creek Park in Bonham. Build week has been set for March 12-16.

All types of volunteers are needed. In addition to skilled and unskilled labor, volunteers are needed to check-in workers, provide child care for kids 9 and under, prepare and serve food and drinks to the workers, and complete artistic projects too. Volunteers must register here.

All kinds of tools and equipment are also needed, including 3 chain saws, 10 push brooms, 25 five gallon buckets, 50 coffee cans or plastic jugs, 5 crow bars, 65 electric drills, 70 extension cords, 50 hammers, 20 hard hats, 30 levels, 10 nail punches, 10 post hole diggers, 30 rakes, 12 routers, 15 screwdrivers, 35 shovels, 50 tape measures, 10 utility knives and 30 wheelbarrows. For a complete list of tools needed, go to http://www.powdercreekplay.org. Tools can be dropped off at Powder Creek Playground on Saturday, March 8 from 9 am to 2 pm or Sunday, March 9 from 2 -5 pm. Tools will be marked and inventoried on a daily basis. They will be stored in a secured container. Tools can be picked up on Sunday, March 16 after 3 pm.

Several fundraising plans are underway. At last report, about $106,500 has been raised towards the goal of $121,000. That means volunteers need to raise about $14,500 more.

Chi Lambda has pledged to donate 10% of the proceeds from their annual auction again this year. This group of philanthropic women have actually made this pledge for several years now. The dinner, auction and dance will be held on Saturday, March 22 at the Multi-Purpose Complex. Tickets are available from Chi Lambda members.

Coins for Construction – several local schools and businesses are collecting coins for constructing the playground. Fannin Bank, Finley Oates Elementary, Granny Lou’s Bed & Breakfast, IW Evans Intermediate, 3 Kwik Chek stores, Legend Bank and the Tax-Assessor Collector’s Office are collecting coins. Other businesses or schools who wish to join this effort should email powdercreekplay@gmail.com.

Raffle tickets – three items are being raffled off: $100 VISA gift card, American Girl doll and remote control helicopter. Tickets cost $1 each or 6 for $5. Drawings will be during the opening celebration of the playground on Sunday, March 16 from 5-7 pm. Tickets can be purchased from playground volunteers or at Fannin Bank, American Bank of Texas and the Tax-Assessor Collector’s Office.

Picket sales – a limited number of pickets are being sold to individuals for $30 each or to businesses for $50 each. Each picket can be engraved with a name of your choice. Picket order forms are available at Fannin Bank, American Bank of Texas and the Tax-Assessor Collector’s Office and here.

Bryan Frazier, owner of Frazier Carpet Cleaning, has announced a special offer to help the playground. From now through February, they will donate $10 of each cleaning job to the playground. To schedule a carpet cleaning, call 903-583-1602.

Donations of snacks and breakfast foods are needed during build week. To donate, contact Sue Taylor at suetaylor453@yahoo.net or Megan Massey at md_massey@hotmail.com.

A call-a-thon has been planned for Monday, Feb 17, beginning at 4:30 pm at the Children’s Center at 112 W. 5th in Bonham. Playground volunteers will be calling people to ask for their help in building the playground. Anyone interested in helping with the call-a-thon should bring their cell phone with them. Volunteers will also spend time meeting on Monday night to discuss fundraising and organizational details. Anyone interested in helping or simply learning more about the playground plans are welcome to attend.