Class plans Day in the Park activity
Staff reporter
They were high school drop- outs who now want to change the direction of their lives and provide a fun activity for children.
The five members of the GED preparation class at Butler Community College of Marion are individuals with varied backgrounds but one common goal — to obtain their general equivalency diploma.
And now, in addition to math, reading, and writing course work, class members are developing a community service project.
The class did all of the planning, fund-raising, and will provide a Day in the Park for children 10 and under.
The event will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Aug 25 at Central Park, Marion. Various activities are planned for children and their parents which include games with prizes, giveaways, and food, all free of charge.
Instructor Pam Cannon explained the service learning concept.
"This gives students the opportunity to apply what's learned in class to a project that will help the local community," she said.
Since this is a one-time activity planned by the GED class, the ultimate goal is for another group or organization to pick up where the GED class left off and continue the event.
Those working toward the final test to earn their GED diplomas want to better themselves.
"If I ever want to get a better job, I need a diploma," Brandi Williams of Marion said.
For Isaac Horinek of rural Marion, he has special reason. He wants to join the U.S. Marine Corps and they will not take anyone without a high school or GED diploma.
"I want my kids to see that even though I messed up and didn't finish high school, I corrected my mistake and did finish," Becky Hulett of Marion said.
Lina Schafers of Hillsboro wants to continue her education and become a registered nurse.
"I want my family to see I can achieve something," she said.
Self-improvement is the reason Jake Rogers of Marion is taking the intensive class in preparation of the GED test and he, too, wants to position himself for success.
"I want to get a better paying job," he said.
The project
The group decided to host a morning of activities for younger children because two of them are parents of younger children.
"There aren't enough activities for kids to do," Hulett said.
The group started with a list of ideas and narrowed it down to the park activities.
Games will include bean bag toss, ring toss, balloon darts, duck pond, bubble pool, obstacle course, three-legged race, sack race, dodge ball, and cupcake/cookie walk.
Children can participate in the games and win prizes.
Cotton candy, hot dogs, and drinks will be provided through donations from local businesses.
Parents will have the opportunity to win prizes through donations. Drawings will be held during the morning for a portable television/radio/lantern combination, gift basket, mini-pedicure, duffel bags, piggy banks, and GED testing.
Children also will have the opportunity to see animals up close at the petting zoo.
Volunteer paramedics will provide assistance at a first-aid booth.
Through research of children 10 and younger, the group is hoping 300 people will attend.
Proceeds from the event, including the drawings, will be used for a BCC scholarship for adult students who need financial assistance with classes.
Businesses and entities that have contributed to the event include St. Luke Hospital, Marion County Health Department, Golden Living Center, Carlsons' Grocery, Wagon Wheel, TC's What Not Shop, Seacat DoitBest, Aunt Bee's Flower Shop, PLANTations, Gambino's, Pizza Hut, Quick Flick, Duckwall's, Zimmerman's, Trace of Copper, D&J Liquor, Marion Body Shop, Hett Construction, Tampa State Bank, Central National Bank, Marion National Bank, Marion Auto Supply, Marion Manufacturing, Marion Die and Fixture, Jerry Cady Insurance, Baldwin Law Office, Shawmar Oil, The Big Scoop, and G&J Travel.
Volunteers are needed to help the five-member class.
For more information or to sign up to help, contact Pauline Holub at (620) 382-2183.
The class ends Sept. 10 with testing Sept. 26-27. Those class members will know then if their hard class work has paid off and they are able to continue to fulfill their dreams.
