The Bethlehem United Presbyterian Church has made a very generous donation to the Bethlehem Elementary School Playground Project.
Pastor John Harris and church representatives visited the school on Thursday to present Bethlehem Principal Drew Villani and PTO President Melanie Trabert with a $5,000 contribution to the project. The school has raised more than $92,000 for the project that is expected to cost more than $400,000. The project also benefitted from a recent steak fry that generated more than $7,000. The J.B. Chambers Foundation has pledged $50,000 as part of a community matching grant.
Villani thanked members of the church for its contribution and all of those who have donated to the playground effort. He said the goal is to remake the school’s current blacktop areas into a modern, innovative and inclusive play space for Bethlehem’s 127 students in Pre-K through fifth grade. Villani said the playground will be used during recess, physical education classes, outdoor learning, and before and after-school programming.
Those interested in making a tax-exempt donation to the Bethlehem Elementary School Playground Project should call the school at 304-243-0350. The can also contact Villani via email at dvillani@k12.wv.us .
Photo: Pictured in front from left are Bethlehem Elementary School students Lilly Filby, Sophia Trabert and Lincoln Roberts. In the second row from left are Jody Werner, Bethlehem PTO Melanie Trabert and Sue Lane Johnson. Shown in the back row are Eydie Garvin, Pastor John Harris, Bethlehem Principal Drew Villani, Bill Syphers and Bob Mengeu.