Rotarians contribute $11,000 for Darling Home playground

Rotarians contribute $11,000 for Darling Home playground

After donating over $11,000 to the Darling Home for Kids last year, Rotary Club of Milton members unveiled a new fully-accessible playground at the hospice and respite care home during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19 to celebrate the project's completion.

The large donation stemmed from the club's Spring Gala event held at Granite Ridge Golf Club in 2010.

“The Rotary Club of Milton was instrumental in making this project possible,” said Darling Home Executive Director Kristin Horrell. “(The) Roaring 20’s Gala contributed a significant amount to the project and got us started on this important capital project.”

“Without the donations and support of local residents and businesses backing our charity events throughout the year, we would be unable to help worthy causes like the Darling Home's playground,” said Milton Rotary public relations director Rod McLachlan. “It is a testament to our members' efforts that a small club like ours can make a big difference right here in Milton.”

It was the local Rotary club's donation that helped kick the project off. A further $60,000 was raised through an 80-km bike ride this past July by local volunteers.

The new playground features ramps, activity stations and wheelchair-accessible equipment outdoors, giving children the chance to play like most kids.

The Rotary Club of Milton meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the Best Western Hotel on Chisholm Dr. Prospective members interested in learnng more about Rotary are always welcome and can contact Rod McLachlan at 289-878-5437 or go to www.miltonrotaryclub.com

Previously known as Rose Cherry’s Home for Kids, The Darling Home is a respite/hospice home for children who are medically fragile and/or technology dependent, many of whom also have a life-limiting or life-threatening illness.

It provides overnight, weekend, weeklong and residential care for up to 12 children who come primarily from Milton and the Greater Toronto Area. The home receives government funding for its operations, but relies on private donations for its therapeutic programs and capital projects.