Hancock, WI – The swish of a basketball through a hoop: it’s a sound that hasn’t been heard in Hancock, WI for decades. Children and families in this small rural town have had no place to gather and play outdoors since unsafe conditions prompted the closure of the community’s former school playground over 20 years ago. However, all that is about to change, thanks in part to a donation of ready-mix concrete from County Materials Corporation.
County Materials delivered enough concrete to build a basketball court along with a sidewalk to border the playground. “County Materials was amazing to give us that much. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to do the basketball court, and it was something the community really wanted,” explains Cindy Johnson, Chair of the Hancock Citizens Community VOH HCC Playground Project. “All our donors have been so generous with their donations.”
County Materials is one of over 130 corporate and individual sponsors of the project, which includes new playground equipment and safety fencing for young children in addition to the basketball court. In addition to donations the Hancock Citizens Committee raised funds through bake sales, rummage sales, a 5K run/walk, and other activities. The playground is being built largely with volunteer labor.
“This is a huge improvement for the kids, for our community, and for economic reasons, because when people considered moving to the area in the past there was nothing for kids. It’s going to be a wonderful place for people to get together and socialize in a way that’s healthy, not just playing on the street,” says Johnson, who estimates that the facility will serve approximately 500 families, many of whom are economically challenged. “This is huge for our community. It’s like a dream come true, it really is.”
“Our Community Build Day,” the final work party for the Hancock Community Playground, took place Friday, May 13 with over 40 volunteers. The facility is scheduled to open to the public Friday, May 27; however funds are still being raised for safety fencing and a storage shed. The official ribbon cutting for the completed playground will take place in June or July upon final completion of the project.
About County Materials:
County Materials Corporation is proud to announce it is celebrating 70 years in business in 2016. The family-owned, American-based manufacturing company is an industry leader and trusted resource for construction and landscape products. Its headquarters are in Marathon, WI, where it was founded in 1946. The company employs more than 1,200 people in 40 locations, supplying products for growing communities across the country. Follow County Materials Corporation on LinkedIn for updates about the company’s latest concrete innovations and charitable activities. For more information visit www.countymaterials.com.
Contact:
Rebecca Sonnentag, Vice President – Promotions & Communications
715-848-1365
rebeccas@countymaterials.com
