Sidney and Greater Area Fund Grant Accelerates Communication Board Project for the Sidney Park
The Sidney and Greater Area Fund recently awarded a $1,000 grant for a communications board at the Legion Park playground, assisting children with communication challenges.
By News Channel NebraskaSIDNEY -- A Communication Board for the Sidney Park received a substantial boost to its efforts with a generous $1,000 grant donation from the Sidney and Greater Area (SAGA) Fund.
This essential contribution is designated to fund a communication board, a pivotal component in enhancing accessibility and community engagement within the park. A communication board allows individuals of all ages with a variety of communication abilities to communicate their wants, needs, and ideas to both familiar and unfamiliar communication partners.
This will allow children with communication difficulties or who are not proficient in English to speak to their peers. A communication board can give a voice to the voiceless children in our society and allow them to enjoy our wonderful new park to the same level as their peers.
The committee, led by Emily Mahr and Brenna Simmons, are grateful to the SAGA Fund for their dedication to the betterment of our community and their support of this project. Mahr and Simmons are Speech-Language Pathologists at Sidney Regional Medical Center.
“We are extremely grateful to receive funding from the SAGA Fund to add a communication board to continue to promote an all-inclusive park environment. By adding a communication board, the park will foster an environment for those that use the park to build social relationships, promote inclusion, and normalize the use of alternative forms of communication," said Emily Mahr.
SAGA Fund Advisory Committee chairperson Melissa Norgard said the SAGA is glad to be able to support the project.
“The SAGA Fund Advisory Committee is excited and thrilled to extend our support to the Sidney Park Project Communication Board through this grant donation. Witnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of this committee towards creating a more inclusive and accessible space within our community is truly inspiring. We believe in the transformative power of projects that prioritize community well-being and accessibility. This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance the quality of life for all members of the Sidney community.” stated Melissa Norgard, SAGA Fund Advisory Committee chairperson.
The communications board is yet another step in welcoming everyone to use the park, according to Mahr.
"So, our Communications Board is poised to serve all individuals using the park. This will allow children to effectively communicate with their peers, help them grow, play and develop along side their peer group, and provide a more enriching park experience for everyone in our community," Mahr said.
The Sidney Park Project committee eagerly anticipates the commencement of this phase and invites community members to join in celebrating this significant milestone.
The Sidney Park Project Communication Board committee can be contacted at [email protected].
To learn more about Sidney And Greater Area Fund, please visit https://www.nebcommfound.org/give/saga/