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Community Corner

What is Veronica's Place Playground Project?

Veronica's Place is tax deductible Eagle Scout Project working to expand the Jefferson playground.

Zac Blohm has been in Boy Scouts for most of his life. The Oak Creek freshman is now working towards becoming an Eagle Scout. To earn the Eagle Scout designation requires a community project, and Blohm is making that happen at Jefferson Elementary School in West Allis.

The current Jefferson Elementary playground is over 25 years old and does not even come close to meeting the needs of the 565 students at the school. The main issue is that there is not enough play surface options for the growing population. It is common to have children standing in long lines during their recess time for a short turn on the existing equipment. The project plan Zac has developed more than doubles the Jefferson Elementary School play space allowing more children active play time. The necessary equipment and materials to make this playground a reality will cost $55,000. If Zac should be lucky enough to exceed that goal additional equipment will be purchase to enhance the play experience for the students. Although this is an aggressive Eagle Scout project, Zac feels with the support of the community he can reach his goal and help the students at Jefferson Elementary live healthy active lives. Jefferson Elementary is a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization.

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Zac wanted to make a large impact in his community. He learned from a teacher at Jefferson that they were struggling to build a new playground. With 67% of the population under the poverty rate Zac felt this was a very worthy cause. Even at 14 you will still catch Zac hanging out at his neighborhood playground having fun. The playground has always been Zac's favorite spot to spend time outside and play.

Veronica is Zac's baby sister that passed away on January 1, 2013. Veronica was a born on November 27, 2012 at 3 lbs 7.8 ounces. Veronica was premature only weighing in at 3% of all babies born at 34 weeks. She spent 4 weeks in the NICU at St. Joseph hospital. After passing all her tests and gaining the required weight she was released to go home on December 22, 2013. Sadly Veronica passed away when she had a moment of apnea and her little body could not recover.

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While grieving the death of his sister Zac was visited by the youth minister of his church. She suggested calling Zac's playground project "Veronica's Place" as a dedication to his sister. Jefferson has agreed to allow Zac to dedicate the playground to Veronica. He is thankful to have such a wonderful project to focus on during this truly difficult time.

Zac has been featured on 2 different Fox6 shows, Real Milwaukee and Studio A. Below are the links to both interviews.

If you would like to help Zac, please LIKE and SHARE the Veronica’s Place Playground Project Facebook page. Getting the word out to as many people as possible, is crucial to the success of project. The Facebook page has project updates along with current and future fundraising events.

https://www.facebook.com/VPPatJES/

If you would like to make a donation to Veronica’s Place Playground Project, follow the link below.

http://jeffersonpta.weebly.com/veronicas-place-playground-project.html

Thank you,

Dennis Kosloske(Proud Father)

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