They didn’t win a national competition for money to build a new playground, but members of the Westgate Elementary Parent Staff Organization (PSO) are continuing their fund-raising efforts to replace the school’s aging equipment. Next up: a Family Fun Run at the school on April 29.

Some of Westgate’s playground equipment dates to when the school was built in 1958. The PSO’s goal is to raise $90,000, and the group plans to break ground to build a new playground this summer. In an effort to raise a portion of that amount, the group made a video, set to the Beatles’ song “Help,” and submitted it to KaBoom!, a national nonprofit dedicated to involving communities in building play spaces within walking distance for their kids.

Competing against 43 other entries in a frenzy of online voting, the Westgate PSO generated substantial local publicity and votes, but ended up in fourth place (only the top three entrants received money). Westgate PSO member Karen Wolfe-Fritz, who spearheaded the Kaboom! effort, noted in an email to supporters that “although we did not win a top 3 prize, the video contest served as a tremendous platform in helping us to reach out to the greater community, raising awareness, etc. and will make our job a bit easier to raise the remaining funds by the end of May.”

Donations are being accepted via Paypal or check at https://www.westgatepso.org/donate, The group is also holding events on the following dates:

April 29: Family Fun Run at the school
April 30: Westgate Walk, which is a PSO general budget fundraiser; however all dollars raised over the school’s goal will go toward the playground.
May 15: Wine/Dessert tasting at Edmonds Senior Center.

In-kind donations are needed once construction starts, including tree cutting, dumpster, refreshments, etc. Volunteers will also be needed for a variety of demolition and building tasks. For more information, email webmaster@westgatespso.org.