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Holloway Fund donates to help rebuild park

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On hand for the check passing were, above, standing, from left, Steve Hook, Elsie Stearns, Ernestine Holloway Squires, Tanya Player, Susan Saulsbury, Shawn Kinney, Jim Downer and Pat Johnson. Seated is Cindy Bickford. ED FRANKS
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To date, the Pine Island Kiwanis Club has raised $17,620 of the $45,000 goal to refurbish the park. ED FRANKS

Last week the Pine Island Kiwanis received a donation from the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Endowment Fund for $2,500 to help rebuild the Lions Park on the grounds of the St. James City Civic Center. To date the Pine Island Kiwanis has raised $17,620 of the $45,000 goal.

Over nearly 20 years, the Lions, and Lion president Mary VonBurg, held raffles and auctions to build and maintain the park. When the Lions disbanded last year due to lack of membership, the park fell into disrepair.

The board of the St. James City Civic Association, which owns the property, became concerned about the poor condition of the equipment and potential liability issues and locked the gate surrounding the playground.

Cindy Bickford, who lives near the playground and has grandchildren that frequently use the facilities, spearheaded the effort to save the playground.

“When I learned that we could lose the playground, I decided to do something to try to save it since this playground is the only children’s park south of the center,” Bickford said.

Bickford organized a community meeting and the Pine Island Kiwanis offered to “take over” the park upon approval from the International Kiwanis. The park has been renamed Kiwanis Park.

The Holloway Fund supports many youth causes on Pine Island. When he was 11 years old, Bobby lost his life in a hunting accident in 1997. His mother, Ernestine Holloway and several island residents, established the Bobby Holloway Foundation.

To contribute, go to the Go Fund Me page at: gofundme.com/f/kiwanis-park.

“We will be installing new commercial playground equipment asap,” Bickford said. “We plan to have several fundraisers in order to make this park a reality for the children of Pine Island.”

For additional information about the park project, contact Bickford at 239-282-9478 or via email at nativekid@Gmail.com