The community that I live in is called Parkland. It is a suburb of Tacoma, Washington. We are a community of about 40,000 people. The Parkland school has served the children of this community since the late 1800’s. It has been added to and remodeled and rebuilt many times over the years. It became part of the Franklin Pierce School District and served as an elementary school until 1982. At that time, the building was leased and eventually sold to Pacific Lutheran University and used by them until 2022. At that time they wanted to demolish the building and have apartments constructed on the property.

A group of concerned citizens believed that the school should be repurposed as a Community Center. They got together and formed the Parkland Community Association and drew public attention to the plight of the school. They were able to halt the demolition, giving hem time to raise funds to purchase the building.

Our community has no central area or hub for people to meet. Because of this, the children roam the streets and ultimately, many of them get into trouble with the law. To have a central place to go for counselling, tutoring, games, relaxation and fun would get them off of the streets and into a healthy environment. The Old Parkland School is a perfect place.

The Parkland Spanaway Kiwanis became involved in the project when one of our members, who also happens to be a member of the Parkland Community Association, mentioned the intense fund raising effort being held and their need to reach a specific amount for the down payment on the building. Our executive board met and decided to gift them $25,000.00 to reach their goal for the down payment and an additional $25,000.00 in September of 2024. With those two donations, the association was able meet the down payment deadline to purchase the building and to continue with the repairs on the new Parkland Community Center. Windows had to be replaced, floors repaired, replaced or reconditioned, the heating system repaired and some much needed kitchen equipment purchased. The repair and maintenance of the building is an ongoing process and we still have a hefty mortgage to pay, but with the work of the members of the Parkland Community Association, groups like the Kiwanis Club and other interested citizens, we will have a viable and vital area in our community for children and families.

I am very proud of our local Kiwanis Club. Kiwanis International has been a fixture in our community for over 75 years. We have know for many years of the need for a place for the children to go and are so happy to be a part of this project. We have made the “Save Parkland School” our Signature Community Service Project and are submitting the project to Kiwanis International in January for possible recognition at the Kiwanis International Convention in Pittsburgh in June of 2025.

If any of you would like to donate to the cause, please contact: http://www.parklandcommunitycenter.org. or Parkland Community Center Assn. P O box 45355 Parkland, WA 98448.

This is a long post, but I wanted everyone to know what a great and caring community I live in.

Please have the best, happiest and safest Thanksgiving.