Great River Care Center fundraiser will benefit Turner Park splash pad project
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times
Great River Care Center, in McGregor, has come up with a creative way to raise funds for the splash pad at nearby Turner Park. The facility will host “Splash into Summer: Chalk the Walk,” on Friday, June 28—an event that challenges people to decorate a portion of the park’s track using chalk.
Held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m, at Turner Park, the event will also feature a Rooster Andy’s Chicken Q, live music and lawn games for the whole family.
The idea came about, explained Great River Care Center (GRCC) Activities Director Debbie Johnson, because June 28 is National Food Truck Day.
“I thought it would be fun to get a food truck to come here, so we got Rooster Andy’s,” she said. “Then, I thought, ‘What could we hold a fundraiser for?’”
Another GRCC employee, Sally Schneider, suggested the splash pad project. Johnson said it’s a good fit because the residents love and utilize Turner Park, often watching ballgames or taking a spin around the track.
Not long after, one of the hospice workers shared the “chalk the walk” concept, and the idea took hold.
“Now, it’s like a mini festival,” Johnson said. “It will be the perfect time to get everyone together and celebrate summer.”
People can sign up for “Splash into Summer: Chalk the Walk” in one of three categories: family, artist/adult or business/organization. The entry fee is $30, which entitles participants to one 20-foot section of track, a 24-pack of pastel chalks, as well as two Rooster Andy’s Chicken Q meal vouchers.
Johnson said GRCC’s goal is to get 66 sponsors, enough to fill up each section of the track.
Participants can create their chalk drawings any time until 6 p.m. on June 28. Judging will take place at 6:15 p.m., and prizes will go to the winners in each category.
“Splash into Summer: Chalk the Walk” entry forms, as well as Rooster Andy’s Chicken Q tickets, can be picked up at Great River Care Center, the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce, By the Spoonful or McGregor Mercantile. Forms are also available on the “Great River Care Center & Turner Pointe Assisted Living” Facebook page. Entry forms and payment must be turned in to GRCC by Monday, June 17.
Johnson said food can also be delivered to local businesses the day of the event. Contact GRCC by Friday, June 14, to place the order.
She hopes the community will support both the “Chalk the Walk” and the Chicken Q to raise funds for the splash pad.
“It will be something nice for the community,” Johnson said. “It will bring people together to have fun.”
