5th graders launch fundraiser for kindergartner with cerebral palsy

5th graders launch fundraiser for kindergartner with cerebral palsy

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VICKSBURG, Mich. — Some fifth graders are banding together to make sure a kindergartener at their elementary school can enjoy her recess.

When 5-year-old Hannah Cook started kindergarten at Tobey Elementary in Michigan last month, her infectious smile quickly earned her the reputation of happiest child in school.

“Every time I see her she always likes to walk by me and wave,” fifth-grader Carcel Tharge told FOX 17 News.

Hannah loved seeing her friends every day and thrived in the classroom, but one thing proved to be a bit of a stumbling block for the little girl: recess. Hannah has a form of cerebral palsy that affects the lower half of her body, requiring her to use a walker and leg braces to get around.

The playground at the school wasn’t built to accommodate kids like Hannah, so she sat in the sandbox and watched her schoolmates climb, jump and slide on the nearby play structure.

“Hannah is such a sweet girl that she wouldn’t complain about not having anything to do,” Ryan Cook, Hannah’s dad, told ABC News. “She was just happy to do what she could do.”

But the arrangement didn’t sit well with some of her fellow students — Carcel in particular. He felt it was unfair for Hannah to have to sit on the sidelines alone while her peers enjoyed the playground.

“I see her playing there,” he told FOX 17. “I go over and run to my friends and I’m like, 'Well, is the school going to do anything?'”

Carcel and his buddies decided to approach principal Michael Barwegen about the problem, hoping a solution was in the works.

“They came to me and said, ‘What can we do about this?’” Barwegen told FOX. “I asked them, ‘What can we do?’ They took it from there.”

The fifth-graders decided the school needed a new playground where all the students — Hannah included — could play together. So with the help of Barwegen, they called a local company that builds playgrounds and received a $20,000 estimate, with an additional $10,000 in miscellaneous costs.

Barwegen challenged the kids to raise the money for the playground themselves, so the kids created a GoFundMe page* and went to work.

They set up a coin drive using a water jug with Hannah’s photo, encouraging people to donate loose change. They sold bracelets, handed out fliers in the rain and worked tirelessly to get the word out about their project.

“Every day they came to me with a different idea,” Barwegen told ABC News. “They are so fired up.”

Their passion is catching fire. In just 17 days, the fifth-graders have raised nearly $17,800 through their GoFundMe page alone. Barwegen told ABC News they’ve had countless offers from parents, members of the community and local businesses to help install the structure once the money is raised.

As for Hannah, she’s been on a break from school after a big surgery. Her dad says that while the playground isn’t complete yet, the effort alone has brought her great hope in a time where hope is desperately needed.

“While she was flat on her back for three days after surgery, very few things would make her happy,” Cook told ABC News. “That was one of them. It made her so, so happy during a tough time for her.”

The kids are hoping to surprise Hannah with the completed “All In” playground when she returns to school in November.

“There’s going to be a ramp so she can walk up it with her walker,” fifth-grader Natalie Balkema told FOX 17. “There’s going to be a little slide that she can go down and accessible swings for her. Everyone can play on that so she feels, you know, like part of the group.”

Hannah’s family is floored by the efforts of her peers.

“We’re proud of the fifth-graders. There are a lot of differences in generations and they’ve been magnified over the years, but these kids have proven that the younger generation is becoming more accepting of people that are different," Cook told ABC News. "The community involvement and willingness to spread the word and donate money is astounding.” *Disclaimer: KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.


Jessica Ivins

About the Author: Jessica Ivins

Jessica Ivins has three loves: her family, donuts and the news. She's been producing, writing and editing for KSL for more than 8 years and doesn't plan to stop until she's 90. Jessica spends her free time running, eating and hiking her way through Seattle, where she lives with her husband and three children.

VICKSBURG, Mich. — Some fifth graders are banding together to make sure a kindergartener at their elementary school can enjoy her recess.

When 5-year-old Hannah Cook started kindergarten at Tobey Elementary in Michigan last month, her infectious smile quickly earned her the reputation of happiest child in school.

“Every time I see her she always likes to walk by me and wave,” fifth-grader Carcel Tharge told FOX 17 News.

Hannah loved seeing her friends every day and thrived in the classroom, but one thing proved to be a bit of a stumbling block for the little girl: recess. Hannah has a form of cerebral palsy that affects the lower half of her body, requiring her to use a walker and leg braces to get around.

The playground at the school wasn’t built to accommodate kids like Hannah, so she sat in the sandbox and watched her schoolmates climb, jump and slide on the nearby play structure.

“Hannah is such a sweet girl that she wouldn’t complain about not having anything to do,” Ryan Cook, Hannah’s dad, told ABC News. “She was just happy to do what she could do.”

But the arrangement didn’t sit well with some of her fellow students — Carcel in particular. He felt it was unfair for Hannah to have to sit on the sidelines alone while her peers enjoyed the playground.

“I see her playing there,” he told FOX 17. “I go over and run to my friends and I’m like, 'Well, is the school going to do anything?'”

Carcel and his buddies decided to approach principal Michael Barwegen about the problem, hoping a solution was in the works.

“They came to me and said, ‘What can we do about this?’” Barwegen told FOX. “I asked them, ‘What can we do?’ They took it from there.”

The fifth-graders decided the school needed a new playground where all the students — Hannah included — could play together. So with the help of Barwegen, they called a local company that builds playgrounds and received a $20,000 estimate, with an additional $10,000 in miscellaneous costs.

Barwegen challenged the kids to raise the money for the playground themselves, so the kids created a GoFundMe page* and went to work.

They set up a coin drive using a water jug with Hannah’s photo, encouraging people to donate loose change. They sold bracelets, handed out fliers in the rain and worked tirelessly to get the word out about their project.

“Every day they came to me with a different idea,” Barwegen told ABC News. “They are so fired up.”

Their passion is catching fire. In just 17 days, the fifth-graders have raised nearly $17,800 through their GoFundMe page alone. Barwegen told ABC News they’ve had countless offers from parents, members of the community and local businesses to help install the structure once the money is raised.

As for Hannah, she’s been on a break from school after a big surgery. Her dad says that while the playground isn’t complete yet, the effort alone has brought her great hope in a time where hope is desperately needed.

“While she was flat on her back for three days after surgery, very few things would make her happy,” Cook told ABC News. “That was one of them. It made her so, so happy during a tough time for her.”

The kids are hoping to surprise Hannah with the completed “All In” playground when she returns to school in November.

“There’s going to be a ramp so she can walk up it with her walker,” fifth-grader Natalie Balkema told FOX 17. “There’s going to be a little slide that she can go down and accessible swings for her. Everyone can play on that so she feels, you know, like part of the group.”

Hannah’s family is floored by the efforts of her peers.

“We’re proud of the fifth-graders. There are a lot of differences in generations and they’ve been magnified over the years, but these kids have proven that the younger generation is becoming more accepting of people that are different," Cook told ABC News. "The community involvement and willingness to spread the word and donate money is astounding.” *Disclaimer: KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.


![Jessica Ivins](//img.ksl.com/slc/2598/259869/25986908\.jpg)
About the Author: Jessica Ivins -------------------------------

Jessica Ivins has three loves: her family, donuts and the news. She's been producing, writing and editing for KSL for more than 8 years and doesn't plan to stop until she's 90. Jessica spends her free time running, eating and hiking her way through Seattle, where she lives with her husband and three children.

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