Grungy carpet, chipped paint and dim lighting: sounds more like a sleazy motel than a school serving more than 400 students. Those are just some of the sorry conditions at Harvard Park Elementary School, 2501 S. 11th St. in Springfield, a 100-year-old facility where 93 percent of students live below the poverty line. Bathrooms at the school have become storage spaces, playground equipment is lacking, and teachers are making do with very limited supplies. But there is hope for Harvard Park. From July 30 to August 7, volunteers, businesses and organizations will team up for Springfield Sharefest, a nine-day renovation project at Harvard Park Elementary School. Organized by West Side Christian Church in Springfield, the project will require help from numerous volunteers, as well as the donation of goods and services. Renovations are planned for both the inside and outside of the school, and organizers hope to provide badly needed school supplies as well. For more information, visit www.springfieldsharefest.org, email info@springfieldsharefest.org, or call
793-2800.
Also, check out the donation request letter here.(PDF)
