United Way donates $30,000 to Thatcher Elementary School for playground shade structure

Contributed Photo/Courtesy Amber Stalder Richards: The United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties donated $30,000 for the construction of this shade structure over the playground at Thatcher Elementary School.  

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

THATCHER – After years in the works, the Thatcher Elementary School now has a shade structure to protect its playground and the school children and community who use it. 

The Arizona sun takes a toll on anything left out in it and can cook playground equipment to the point of being too hot for children to use.

“We got to the point where the kids weren’t being able to use it at the beginning of the year or the end of the year,” said Thatcher Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) President Amber Stalder Richards. “Not only that, but it helps the playground last longer and keeps the UV rays off the students.” 

Local parks have installed shade structures to keep amenities useable during the hot months, and now schools are adding the same things to their playgrounds. 

Contributed Photo/Courtesy Amber Stalder Richards: Children hold signs of gratitude for the playground shade structure over their heads.

The structures aren’t cheap, however, and groups like the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties provide an essential service to the community by providing funds for a variety of projects.

Richards said during her and others’ work on the project, funding wasn’t easy to come by due to the high cost. 

“It was almost impossible – with the amount that we needed – just trying to pull from individuals and small businesses,” she said. “Without them (United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties) we wouldn’t have been able to even come close to getting that structure. It’s pretty awesome.” 

The United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties donated $30,000 to Thatcher Schools for the construction of the shade structure. After searching locally and out of the area, Ward Brothers Enterprise LLC was chosen to be the contractor since they construct metal buildings that will last much longer than the alternatives and also came through with a lower bid than others, according to Richards. 

“We’re actually working with them again, trying to get a grant for the primary school (Jack Daley Primary School) and get a big playground (shade structure) over there,” Richards said.

The shade structure at the elementary school covers the main playground structure and more and will be beneficial to not only students but the community as well. 

Contributed Photo/Courtesy Amber Stalder Richards

“The community uses that area a lot too because they have track meets and football games – AYF football games are held over there – and so there is always somebody at that playground. 

Richards pointed out the hard work by PTO Treasurer Wendy Millar in writing the grant for the United Way and thanked the organization for the donation and all they do for the community.