On Friday, August 26, Earl Hanson Elementary School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its new playground.

The PTO (parent-teacher organization) asked the school’s principal what are the school’s needs. She told them a playground, somewhere for the kids to play. The PTO members reached out to some of its community connections and found a donor.

Seeing the need for a new playground, Heidi Huiskamp Collins generously donated funds through the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation, so the school could purchase the new playground. The donation was more than $150,000.

“A big part of my philanthropy is modeling for women that they can step into their power and show how women philanthropists can make an impact,” said Huiskamp Collins.

Students were able to vote on the color of the playground and voted for purple which is the school’s color.

“We are so very grateful for Mrs. Huiskamp Collin’s generosity. Not only will our students have a safe place to play but so will kids in our community,” said Earl Hanson Principal Sarah Leonard.