The Community Alliance Funding Education, which includes two major developments, recently provided a $10,000 grant to Mill Creek Elementary for new playground equipment. The St. Johns County School District provided $25,000, and CAFÉ and the Mill Creek PTA combined to provide the remaining $20,000 needed to fund the project.
Community Alliance Funding Education is a private foundation for public education in Northwest St. Johns County. The playground equipment - which includes swings, slides, poles, climbers, steps and overhangs - was installed this summer into the school’s two playgrounds.
CAFÉ was formed last year by a group of St. Johns County business leaders.
The foundation’s mission is to increase the learning opportunities for students by providing resources that support student learning, promoting enhanced technology-based learning and introducing arts and culture into the educational lives of students. The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village and Palencia were the organization’s founding partners.
“The students absolutely love their newly refurbished playgrounds. We are very grateful to the three groups that came together to make this possible,” said George McLatchey, principal of Mill Creek Elementary. “It’s amazing what you can do with a united effort in bringing the funds together to make this a reality for our children. It‚s been a great success and endeavor by all.”
A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on the school grounds last month to dedicate the new playground equipment. Kindergarten students, Mill Creek Elementary student council officers, PTA officers, CAFÉ board members, a school board representative, McLatchey and teachers were present for the event.