Backyard Beautification

Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, mud turtles, elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb.

Brooks to wade, water lilies, woodchucks, bats, bees, butterflies, animals to pet, hay fields, pinecones, rocks to roll, sand, and any child who has been deprived of these has been deprived of the best part of education.

~ Luther Burbank

In 2007 the JCC Preschool received a New York State Health and Safety grant to redo the 30 year old playground in the backyard. In 2008 another grant was received from the Gorman Foundation to allow us to build new stairs leading to the playground that were in disrepair. To add to the wonderful new playground we asked for donations to help plant some flowers and trees in the backyard so the children could enjoy them as they grow.

Through many generous donations we have been able to plant some trees and flowers that have made the backyard, absolutely beautiful. The leaves from the trees display beautiful fall colours. The children can collect them, play in them, see them change, and sit in their shade with friends. In the spring, flowering trees and plants give off amazing aromas. The pines let them discover pine cones and different textures. Flowers appear after the snow is gone and bloom through the fall adding colour to the greying skies. The children can pick them, use them to paint with, and help them to learn their colours. Attracting birds, butterflies and other wildlife are added benefits these planting of the trees and flowers. Remembering childhood days amongst trees, flowers and friends can create a relationship with nature that can only bring beauty throughout a lifetime.

Thank you to all of the generous donors. Thank you for bringing the beauty of nature to our own backyard. This will be a lasting beauty to our children here and too many more children in the future.

If you would like to make a donation you may designate it to a particular item or make a donation to the general fund. Please call the JCC with questions or suggestions at anytime.

DONOR RECOGNITION

2010 

Sassower Family – In honor of preschool children, Rose of Sharon

Liberatore Family – In honor of preschool children, Hydrangea Tree

Rene Cominsky – In memory of her husband, Hydrangea Tree

Rose Brown – In memory of her husband, Hydrangea Bush

Snyder Family – In honor of preschool children, Lilac Tree

Berg Family – In honor of preschool children, Nine Bark Tree

Friends of Missy Love – In memory of Melissa Love, Flowering Plum Tree

J.C.C. Parents’ Group – In honor of preschool children, Raised Garden Bed and Planting of Trees

Caruso Family – In honor of preschool children, Maple Tree

Haider Family – In honor of preschool children, Butterfly Bush

Rockford Family – In honor of preschool children, White Pine Tree

2012

Varick and Judy Chittenden – In memory of James Murphy, Weeping Birch Tree

Preschool Teachers – In honor of Paula Fanelli, Butterfly Bush