Last spring, Polk County Girl Scouts began a fundraising campaign to replace broken and outdated playground equipment at Steps to HOPE and donated $150 to the cause.

During the Fabulous 4th Celebration in Columbus, they took donations of Lowe’s gift cards at Steps to HOPE’s booth, where over $400 was raised.

A private donor, the Kiwanis Club of Tryon, Glenn and Marilyn LeFeber, along with a donation match from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, all made donations to help make the Girl Scouts’ service project a reality.

A new wooden play set and rubberized mulch to redo the yard were purchased.

Lee Cobourn, John Hicks, and Dave Wilson from Habitat for Humanity, put the set together. The rubberized mulch will be installed as soon as weather permits.

On Friday, June 1, a ribbon cutting and appreciation party was held at Steps to HOPE to thank the Girl Scouts, their leaders and parents, and the others mentioned.

Steps to HOPE is the domestic violence and sexual assault center located in Columbus serving and educating western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

If you or someone you know is being abused, or if you wish to sponsor a project to help improve Steps to HOPE, call 828-894-2340.

– Submitted by Paula Ravan