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OGDEN — With more than 500 students at Bonneville Elementary School, recess can be a challenge on many fronts. But the most basic playground amenities — basketballs, dodge balls, soccer balls — the students haven’t had the luxury to play with for months.
“Balls get popped, they go over the fence into the canal, they get stolen,” principal Janice Bukey said. “We have about 560 students and a handful of balls doesn’t go very far.”
On Thursday, a months-long effort by the Ogden City Police Department changed that. They made a generous donation of almost $2,000 worth of playground equipment for the children to enjoy. All of the supplies were donated by local businesses and officers.
“It makes me happy to realize we’re going something for the kids to be active,” said Lt. Will Cragun.
The police department's efforts were part of a larger project by Ogden City, as part of their “Make a Difference Day.” A time when city departments, local businesses and organizations take on various volunteer projects to clean, repair and serve throughout the city.
Ogden Police officers were also able to teach the students a new lesson about police officers, offering a fresh perspective.
“They get to see a different side of us that they sometimes don’t see on the news,” Lt. Cragun said.
The students were thrilled to have enough to play with on the playground today. “They are very excited because they have something to do now,” Bukey said.
