'Mommies of Angels' donates new playground equipment to park

Rainbow Park just received a major upgrade thanks to Mommies of Angels, Endow Union County and McKinley Park Restoration Fund.

Almost two years ago Amy Lohoff, an active member of Mommies of Angels, approached the Creston Parks and Recreation Board about installing new playground equipment in Rainbow Park.

The park equipment at Rainbow Park has been showing wear in recent years and was in need of some care.

After discussing the project with the other members of Mommies of Angels, it was decided to help rehabilitate the park with funds raised through their organization, in memory of children who were lost during pregnancy, still born or under other circumstances. Lohoff said, in the circles of parents who lose children, they are referred to as “rainbow kids.”

“We wanted our money to go towards something for children,” Lohoff said.

The group donated near $7,000 to the project, which was matched by Endow Union County, who contributed $7,500. The total cost of the new playground equipment cost near $17,500. The remaining funds came from McKinley Park Restoration Fund.

One of the items the “Mommies” wanted to include in the project is a swing for handicapped children. Their request has been granted. Gary Borcherding of Creston Parks and Recreation Board said the swing will be mounted to the new structure in spring 2015.

“It’s basically a swing that handicapped children can safely swing on without falling off or getting hurt,” Borcherding said. “That opens up more opportunities. We were limited on what we can do for them and this gives us another option.”

Mommies of Angels raises their money for community projects and grievance support packages through two fundraisers — a Mother’s Day Walk and a children’s carnival during Fourth of July weekend.

Rainbow Park is located in the center of Monroe, Birch, Fremont and Vine streets.