BWNA’s Friends of Wilshire Park (FOWP) committee continues its fundraising efforts to improve the children’s play area at our neighborhood park after recently securing enough donated funds to purchase a new car play structure. Next on the list is a new playhouse, and the fundraising kicked off with a party hosted by The Wiggle Room on July 29. Between profits donated by Wiggle Room owners Jessica and Christopher Wade, revenue brought in from a silent auction at the event, and donations that were matched up to $1,000 by an anonymous donor, the event brought in over $2,000. This sum, when added to previous donations via the FOWP GoFundMe account, puts the group well on its way to purchasing a new playhouse for the community’s kids to enjoy.
“Wilshire Park was our kids’ favorite park. It was a perfect spot for us with a little one who enjoyed the toddler area and an older kiddo who enjoyed climbing, swinging, and sliding,” said Jessica Wade, who, with her husband Christopher, donated half of the Wiggle Room’s profits to the fundraiser. “Over the past few years it has become less desirable as the toddler area was in desperate need of repairs. We hope the fundraising efforts will restore the park to a favorite amongst neighborhood children.”
The fundraiser party at The Wiggle Room kicked off at 9:00 a.m., and all day there was a bubble machine, popcorn, face painting, and music for the kids, while their parents relaxed with food and drinks in the Wiggle Room’s cafe space. Additionally, FOWP volunteers read stories and led a ukulele sing-along. The event did just as much to raise community awareness of the value of this project as it did to bring in the funds needed to purchase and install a playhouse, which will draw in parents of young children from throughout northeast Portland because of its level ground, well-shaded play area, and equipment that is good for babies and toddlers.
Several local businesses donated generously to the event, giving gift cards for a raffle and items for the auction. FOWP is very appreciative of House Spirits, Gazelle Natural Fiber Clothing, Laurelwood Brewhouse, Just4Kids Clothing, New Seasons Market, Fit4Mom Cedar Mill, The Portland Symphonic Choir, and Keys To Life Music for their contributions. Additional donations were received from several neighbors who are active participants in FOWP. The more that is raised, the nicer the playhouse can be, although the FOWP committee will soon decide when best to end the fundraising and make the purchase. Input from residents is encouraged.
The exact amount needed to purchase a play structure can vary by several thousand dollars based on when and how it is ordered. If it were purchased and installed as a solo project, it would be much more expensive. The purchase of the car play structure, for example, was combined with a bulk purchase by Portland Parks & Recreation of several other structures, thereby reducing FOWP’s cost by $7,000. Portland’s play pieces are manufactured in Minnesota, shipped to Oregon, and then installed by qualified contractors partnered with the city. Lumping purchases together substantially reduces overhead and shipping costs. FOWP will continue to strive for efficient management of donated funds so that the money can go as far as possible.
All donations to this project are tax deductible through Central Northeast Neighbors (BWNA’s neighborhood association district coalition) and can be made via FOWP’s fundraising website friendsofwilshirepark.org/donate). The FOWP committee is open to participation by all residents and meets on the second Wednesday of every month in the basement activity room of Bethany Lutheran Church, located across from the park on the corner of NE Skidmore Street and 37th Avenue.