Esther Short — The Parks Foundation recently received a pair of grants that will enable it to help families and children enjoy the summertime. A $2,000 grant received from Divine Consign’s “Gifts for Our Community” program will help underwrite daytime Summer Sensory Camp, which meets the needs of children ages 5-13 with autism, sensory disorders and other special needs. Another $2,000 grant from Wal-Mart’s Community Giving program will help with the Summer Playground Program at Evergreen Park, which is a drop-in playground program for elementary-age youth who live in the Fourth Plain corridor in central Vancouver. The Summer Playground Program, with a second location at Marrion Elementary School, is also supported by the local Tod and Maxine McClaskey Family Foundation. Approximately 60 kids have participated in the program, which provides fun and games, as well as a free, nutritious lunch, each day. For more information about these programs, contact Dave Perlick at david.perlick@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8314.
