‘Rugged Redhounds’ raise $3,000 for new playground

The Corbin Primary School Parent Teacher Organization is on a mission to expand the school playground and it received a boost Thursday from a group of “Rugged Redhounds.”

Corbin Primary students solicited pledges from family, friends and neighbors to be paid in return for them completing the obstacle course.

The students crawled, jumped, balanced, and hopped their way through the Rugged Redhound course set up in the school gymnasium, raising $3,000.

In addition, Corbin Pediatrics donated $10,000 that it raised through the sale of t-shirts and other donations toward the project.

The PTO is asking for the public’s help to reach its $35,000 goal. Sponsorships are available in amounts of $100, $300, $500 or $1,000. Those donations will be recognized on a plaque for the new addition.

However, donations of any amount are welcome and encouraged.

Anyone who would like to make a donation may contact PTO President Christine Mayer at (606) 620-2640. Donation may also be dropped off at the Corbin Primary School office.

All donations are tax deductible.

The proposed addition will include a music garden where children can play with outdoor musical instruments.

There will also be a sensory playground, which uses different panels to help children build tolerances to different sensory stimulation and to provide an area where children with physical disabilities may sit or stand to play.

The addition will also include a roller table. The table is tilted to allow children to slide across the rollers. As the child slides, he or she feels pressure deep in the muscles.

The Cozy Dome gives children a place to take time by themselves or their own space to socialize.

“The new addition of the new playground will help our children with both physical disabilities as well as autism/sensory processing disorder to be able to have an area that is both safe and therapeutic for them to play,” PTO officials stated in a letter asking for donations.

PTO officials stressed that, like the existing playground, the new equipment will be open to the public, even when school is not in session.

Dr. Christina Butler of Corbin Pediatrics was on hand to play with the students as part of her effort to encourage students.

“We think community support is amazing,” Butler said after completing her turn around the Rugged Redhound course. “We want to be a part of it.”

Butler said the addition is very much needed because it opens up the playground and the health benefits it offers to all of the children.

Butler added that it is important to teach students at the primary school about the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle in order to make that a part of their daily routines.