Jenny Ogg is constantly amazed by the generosity and support of the St. Joseph the Worker Catholic School community. 

The school, which serves students through sixth grade in Beal City, added a preschool classroom for the 2023-24 school year. The preschool is funded through both tuition and the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) funds. St. Joseph also received a $10,000 grant from the state to set up the classroom prior to school beginning. 

While the classroom was furnished and equipped with tables, chairs, a sensory table, classroom materials and supplies, preschool director Ms. Ogg wanted to offer a greater variety of outdoor activities. The school’s playground equipment was designed for older students; the preschoolers had a playhouse and grassy area but no playscape. After she applied for a Michigan Department of Education grant, the preschool program also received $25,000 for an outdoor playscape. 

To maximize the grant money, Ms. Ogg opted to organize a community build. She estimated it would save about $12,000 on installation.

“They thought it was a little bit crazy at first,” she recalled.

It wasn’t too bad, she insisted. She’d organized similar community builds before. 

Immediately, volunteers began stepping forward. “What do you need? I have skills. I can donate my crew. What do you need for equipment?” she recalled community members asking. 

“We had the delivery date on a Monday and by Wednesday we had everything set up,” she said. “It was fantastic [that] it came together so quickly!”

After receiving the grant, they ordered a playscape, which was delivered in December. The new playscape is rated for children as young as two years old, offering opportunities for the youngest students to develop their gross motor skills through play.

“[The students] have been excited since we announced that it had shipped,” she said, adding that the children had a lot of questions when they realized it wouldn’t fit on a mail truck. (It came on a semi truck.)

Area businesses and individuals donated time, services and equipment to assist the effort. SchaFour Builders donated time and equipment, and Gross Farms donated the use of a tractor. Ellen’s Equipment provided a SkyTrak to unload the playground. 

After the ground was prepped, a team of about 15 people gathered at St. Joseph the Worker on Dec. 9 to assemble the structure. Ace Hardware in Lake Isabella donated and cooked lunch for the volunteers.

They anticipated it would take two full days to assemble the playground. They were done in about six hours.

Ms. Ogg noted the structure came together quickly and easily. The following weekend, volunteers spread pea gravel and wood mulch donated by Neville Farm Supply and Neville Farms. Volunteers also installed the fencing purchased at a discount from Home Depot in Mount Pleasant. Community members and school families donated food for the crew as well. 

 The school community has been generous throughout the preschool startup process. 

“They have really played a key part,” Ms. Ogg said. “We had created an Amazon wish list over the summer, and I am constantly refilling it. [Families] would go through and purchase everything off the wish list that we needed. It’s truly a very giving community. ... They want to see us succeed."

Sarah Block, whose daughter Lena is in the preschool program, says that is part of what makes Beal City special. 

“Everyone rallies behind another without question, and the support is simply unwavering. So, when there was an ask made to help support a new preschool playground, many, many people stepped up to the plate,” she said. “The community is present in every new addition to the church and school. This is what makes Beal City, Beal City.”

Ms. Block shared her husband was one of the many volunteers who helped install the playground.

“Local parishioners and parents who owned businesses all took time away from their jobs to bring their tools and talents to the playground to assist. My husband was able to assist and said it was a success,” she said. “What a wonderful community we live in!”

Following the installation, the playground passed a safety inspection before it was open to students. The inspector even came out before the holidays so it would be ready when they returned.

“The students were so excited when they returned to school after the Christmas break because they wanted to play on the playground,” Ms. Ogg said. “They begged to go outside every day— even when it was too cold. Many who knew their parents had helped came to school talking about how their dad helped build it. The students are very proud to have their own space to play!”