Video: ‘April’s Angels’ In Fundraising Drive For Handicapped Accessible Playground

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FULTON, MISS. (WCBI) – It’s time for recess at the Itawamba Attendence Center. And, as kids run around, on and through the playset. 

Inside Melissa Chatham’s class, special needs students have one swing to play on. 

“We have no swings on our playground at all,”Chatham said.

But the non profit group April’s Angels is hoping to change that. 

“We are building an all inclusive playground for special needs children,” said Emily Mabus.

April’s Angels is named after IAC teacher April South, who passed away two years ago. They already have plans in hand for the playground, which will go in this space. 

“It will address the social needs, cognitive development, social skills we have sensory panels being built within the playground, there will be wheelchair accessible ramps to access the playground,” Mabus said.

Third grader Nash Bennett is wheelchair bound and he is super excited about the new playground and can’t wait until it’s built so he can try out the swings. 

“They’re cool, cause they’re handicapped,” Bennett said.

Organizers say the playground project is a way to help special needs students and also a way to honor the memory of a teacher loved by many.

“She spent a lot of time here, she was a great preschool teacher, special ed teacher and this is something we want to do to honor her because she was such a great friend and great teacher,” said Counselor Staci Kline.

The project comes with a big price tag, April’s Angels needs to raise about $100,000 and they have been busy. They have been selling t shirts, there is a pageant coming up and they’;re hoping people will dig deep to help a group of special kids enjoy something as simple as time on the playground.

If you would like to help out, go to www.createfoundation.com

Or you can contact Emily Mabus at emabus@itawamba.k12.ms.us or call her at 662-862-4641.