News Detail

Decatur, Illinois, May 15^th, 2023 – Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) donated $10,000 to Vandalia Junior High School (4^th – 8^th grades) to contribute to ongoing fundraising efforts for a new junior high playground & equipment. Fundraising began for this project in 2019 and experienced a stall due to the pandemic. Efforts have been reinstated and the project is underway, but still falling shy of the $100,000 goal needed to cover the costs of the playground project.

The current Vandalia JH School playground contains two basketball hoops and a few four-square areas on asphalt. Once the new project is completed, the playground will consist of a new asphalt area reduced in size, more green-space, new playground equipment (swings, climbing apparatuses, obstacle courses, etc.) and additional playground outdoor games equipment.

“As a parent of school-aged children, I know first-hand how important it is that our community provide children with a safe and fun environment for our children to destress engage in outdoor play” stated LLCU Branch Manager, Kristen Bowling. “It is our hope here at LLCU, that this donation brings this long-anticipated projection closer to fruition.”

“We are truly so very grateful for this generous donation from LLCU,” stated PTO President, Molly Braun. “Our fundraising efforts have been happening for some time and even student council clubs from different grades were raising funds to try and get to our goal more quickly. They will be thrilled to hear the news of LLCU’s donation as it is a much-needed nudge to the finish line.”

The new VJHS playground project is projected to be completed and placed in use by no later than the end of the 2023-2024 schoolyear.

To donate to the "Let's Build a Playground" project, please reach out to the Vandalia Junior High School at (618) 283-5151.