Members of Sigma Gamma Chi, the LDS fraternity, are asking students for pocket change in an attempt to raise money to build a new playground for Carl Sandburg Elementary School.
The playground, located in West Valley, was built with the original building in 1966.
“It’s outdated and not much fun for (the students),” said Sara Vanlent, sixth-grade teacher at the school.
The fraternity chose this as its fund-raising project because the school cannot file under Title I to receive government funding since one upper-class neighborhood is located within the boundaries, said Jordan Judkins, campus relations director of Sigma Gamma Chi.
The school consists of children that come from low- to mid-income homes. It also has a large ESL population with mostly Spanish speaking students, Vanlent said.
Depending on the amount of funds raised, the school can build a different playground. Judkins said the goal is to raise $10,000.
“If every student donated 50 cents, we would exceed our goal,” Judkins said.
“It will make such a difference for the kids,” Vanlent said. “This is the happy place for some of the kids because home is not.”
Four donation booths are located in the Union, Marriott Library plaza, the west end of the business loop and on the pathway between the OSH and business buildings.
The fund-raiser is part of Sigma Gamma Chi week on campus, which will include lectures, sporting events and a formal dance.
A dodge ball tournament is scheduled for Thursday at the LDS Institute of Religion at 7 p.m.
On Friday, students can attend the formal dance in the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Tickets are $10 per couple.