LEESVILLE,LA.-- The City of Leesville has collected approximately $12,500 in donations to be used toward the installation of handicap accessible playground equipment in the Leesville Municipal Park and at the Martin Luther King Center.

The City will use the funds raised to purchase multiple pieces of equipment, including swings that accommodate wheelchairs as well as those that provide face-to-face interaction between parents and infants. Other, smaller piece, signage and materials to create paths and landscaping that are easily maneuvered by wheelchairs will also be purchased.

"I'm just blown away by the generosity of the people of Leesville and Vernon Parish," said Leesville Mayor Rick Allen. "Our original goal was $1,000 so that we could buy one piece of equipment. Through the hard work and dedication of volunteers like Ms. Jill Leonard of Jillybeans and Darryl Woofter, we far exceeded that goal, and now we have twelve times the amount we asked for. Individuals, businesses and nonprofits gave thousands of dollars, and on behalf of the children who will benefit, I am deeply grateful."

The bulk of the funds were raised on May 22 at Main Street's inaugural A Night of Praise and Worship.

The City of Leesville would like to thank the following performers for donating their time and talent: Ben Pollock; Charlie Strickland; Kyla Rose Bolton; Shawn Carter; Jim Wise and Wife Debbie Wise; Liz Thompson and Sister Connie Hillman; The Old Man Band (which consists of Kenny Pollard, Jerry Blair, and Kenny Williams); Hunter Johnson; Erin White; The Leesville First Assembly and Elevate Student Worship Team (which consists of Bo Alston and Trent Alston); Nathaniel Perkins; Hearts United (which consists of Lori Allen, Archie Smith, Melissa Jernigan, and Beth Taylor); Sign Language Artist Andrea Elise; and Chalk Artist Mr. Les Comeaux. 

The following vendors participated: Jeff Clark of Bouncin' On The Bayou; Alton Dalme of United Rentals; Randy A. Burgess (snow cone stand); Lagniappe Porta John Service; and the youth group from East Leesville Pentecostal Church (service and concession).

"Of course, it's not too late to donate, and no donation is too small," said Mayor Allen. "We'll continue to accept funds, which will provide us an opportunity to enlarge the scope of the project." To make a donation, contact City Hall at 239-3444.

The City of Leesville thanks the following donors for their generosity:

BGB Construction, LLC ($1,920.78)

BGB Construction, LLC ($1,050.00)

Lockhart Trucking ($500)

Turtle Club of Leesville ($500)

Anacoco One Stop ($315)

Southern Style Metal Buildings($150)

Southern Style Guide Services ($150)

Frank Bonner for District 3 Police Jury Candidate ($300)

Jennifer & Tommy Dowd ($300)

Leesville Motorsports ($300)

John West Trucking ($300)

Tommy Dowden Trucking ($300)

David Fox ($300)

Justin Rose ($250

Wheelmart ($250)

BGB Construction, LLC ($250)

Jessie P. Lentz ($250)

Amanda M. Basco ($250)

Quintin's Paint and Body Shop ($250)

Darrell Woofter ($200)

Kennedy Trucking, LLC ($200)

Bloomer's Florist ($200)

Welch Trucking and Dirt ($200)

Apeck Construction ($200)

AA mini Storage, LLC ($200)

Brandon Roshong ($200)

Keith Kennedy ($200)

Craig and Patricia Hall ($150)

Ranch House Café ($150)

David Porter ($150)

Michael Bealer ($150)

Jamie Johnson ($100)

Kleve and Roxanne Wiggins ($100)

Pene Broadcasting Co, Inc ($100)

John and Pamela Smith ($100)

Michael S. Smith ($100)

Seamans Inc ($100)

Donal Pelt Fulton ($100)

Krisban Inc. DBA Headsouth ($100)

Sam Craft for Sheriff Campaign Fund ($100)

Custom Welding and Design, LLC ($100)

Alesia and Keith Richardson ($100)

Krystal Townsend ($100)

Anonymous ($100)

Anonymous ($100)

Gilcrease Trucking ($100)

Jason Plummer ($100)

Dolores Bordine ($100)

Rita Slaughter ($100)

Virginia Bennett ($100)

Bubbaque's BBQ ($75)

Jeane Industries, LLC DBA Catfish Junction of Leesville ($50)

Gwendolyn Bartlett ($50) x2

Todd and Stacy Cook ($50)

Koury Financial Services ($50)

Jerry and Janie Irey ($50)

Danny and Glenda Perkins ($50)

Jody Patterson ($50)

Sandra Ortego ($50)

Robert and Debra Partridge ($50)

Rebecca Spurgeon ($50)

Anonymous ($25)

James H. Robers ($25)

Jerry and Yvonne Bennett ($25)

Tamela Cleaning Services ($25)

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