Daily News

BE ONE Challenge Aims to Raise Funds for Belchertown Playground

BELCHERTOWN — Team Jessica, Inc. (TJI) has secured more than half of the funds needed to make Jessica’s Boundless Playground in Belchertown a reality. A groundbreaking ceremony occurred May 12, equipment will be ordered in August, and a community build is set for September 13. Meanwhile, the final fund-raising leg has begun. An anonymous donor has offered Team Jessica a $5,000 challenge. This challenge consists of two major components. The primary focus is “BE ONE of 500.” If Team Jessica is able to receive $100 from 500 people or businesses by June 30, it will receive an additional $5,000 from the anonymous donor. This alone will raise $55,000. “We are coming up on the final months of fund-raising, and we think this BE ONE Challenge can help us get there rather quickly,” said Team Jessica President Vicky Martins Auffrey. The secondary focus is “BE ONE to Ask a Friend.” If each of the 500 people or businesses that donate $100 ask one friend to also make a $100 contribution to Team Jessica in support of Jessica’s Boundless Playground, this will bring the BE ONE Challenge fund-raising total to $105,000. “Before the official launch of the BE ONE Challenge, we received more than 40 $100 donations from friends and even new donors,” said Martins Auffrey. “The prospect of raising over $100,000 in the next couple of months is exciting, and it will show our big asks that the community supports this playground.” Jessica’s Boundless Playground will be 100% accessible, making it an inclusive community for everyone, regardless of their age or ability. All monies collected from the BE ONE Challenge are tax-deductible and will benefit Jessica’s Boundless Playground directly. To learn more about this effort, visit the TJI website at www.teamjessicaonline.com.