LANCASTER, Ohio — The vision for a fully inclusive community space in Lancaster received a significant boost this week as the Rotary Club of Lancaster accepted a $5,000 donation from St. Paul Lutheran Church.
The gift, provided through the church’s Mission Endowment Fund (MEF), is earmarked for the construction of the Rotary All-Accessible Playground at Miller Park. Once complete, the playground will join the All-Abilities Ball Field to create a premier regional hub for children and families of all physical and developmental abilities.
Nearing the Finish Line
The ambitious project carries an estimated price tag of $1 million. With this latest contribution from St. Paul Lutheran, the Lancaster Rotary has now secured nearly $900,000 toward its goal.
“The mission of service of St. Paul Lutheran Church is aligned with the mission of Rotary,” said Tom Gasser, president of the MEF Management Team. “We share a common goal, and that is the bettering of our community. By providing a park accessible to everyone for generations to come, we are fulfilling that goal.”
A Legacy of Local Support
The Mission Endowment Fund was established by St. Paul Lutheran over 30 years ago specifically to support the Lancaster community, with a heavy emphasis on local youth.
St. Paul Lutheran, located at 125 North Eastwood Avenue, has long been a pillar of the community, offering services on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Church leaders noted that the playground project perfectly encapsulates their commitment to creating lasting, positive change for the city’s next generation.
How to Help
As the project enters its final funding phase, the Rotary Club is inviting residents and local businesses to help close the remaining $100,000 gap.
Donations are being managed through the Fairfield County Foundation. Interested donors can contribute online at fairfieldcountyfoundation.org by searching for the Rotary Club of Lancaster Playground Fund.
The Rotary Club of Lancaster is part of Rotary International, a global network of 1.4 million members dedicated to “Service Above Self.” The local club meets weekly to coordinate programs and networking aimed at improving the quality of life in Fairfield County.
