INDIANAPOLIS – Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority today announced a crowdfunding campaign for a memorial playground for a student who tragically died while walking home from school.
Indianapolis children will have a new, safe and improved place to play if this crowdfunding campaign led by the George Julian PTSA reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by June 22, 2022. If successful, the project will receive a matching grant as part of the IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.
“We hope to encourage a safe place for children to play while keeping Hannah’s memory and legacy in the eastside community,” Crouch said. “We are glad to see the CreatINg Places program used in Hannah’s honor and look forward to helping them achieve their goal.”
Funds from this campaign will be used for new and more vibrant playground equipment. This space will also provide a place to heal. The community lost Hannah in a tragic car crash while she was walking home from school in September 2021. Hannah was seven years old and in the first grade. Her fellow students chose to honor her memory by creating safe and cheerful spaces to play together.
“The playground is important to the school and the community because it will be a memorial that helps children, school staff, friends, family, and community members heal,” said Haley Lovan, School Social Worker, George W. Julian School 57. “The playground will also be a tangible and beautiful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to support one another, which is something that the Irvington community has consistently provided to our school; love and kindness.”
The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $6.2 million in public funds and an additional $5.2 million in matching IHCDA funds.
The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.
Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.
