The kids are
waiting on their castle by the sea -- in the heart of Springfield.
A huge plywood castle complete with thrones, towers, tapestries,
knights and maidens looking down from battlements is being
constructed at The Sanctuary, which runs a popular after-school
program for at-risk kids in a renovated building that for decades
was the Springfield post office on Eighth Street.
"We wanted to enhance the safe environment with something
fanciful to stimulate their active imaginations," said Mark Stewart,
who is coordinating the project. "We threw out a few ideas to the
children, and this is the one that got the best response."
Stewart's wife, Helene Kamps-Stewart, works at The Sanctuary and
told him about the after-school program for about 50 children in
kindergarten through fifth grade. He said he and about 20 co-workers
at the Department of Labor downtown were looking for a community
project and decided to provide a few fanciful props to enhance the
after-school program's play time.
March 8, they showed up with paint, tape measures, power saws,
drills and hammers and began turning plywood and lumber into a
fanciful fortress. The project is half done and should be completed
when the volunteers gather again March 22, he said.
Vicky Watkins, director of The Sanctuary, said the castle motif
is highly anticipated and should prove even more popular in a couple
of months.
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Bill Yord works on a
plywood castle he and other volunteers from The Department of
Labor are building for the after-school program at The
Sanctuary in Springfield.
-- Special
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"We run a pretty big eight-week
summer camp," she said. "I'm sure the play area will be much
appreciated by the youngsters this summer. It's not only a fun idea,
but it means a lot to the children to know how much people care
about them."
In addition to the castle, the volunteers are creating an
"undersea play world" featuring large wall murals and dozens of
colorful stuffed sea creatures, including a large octopus bean bag.
The kids can hardly wait for completion of the project.
"One of the hardest things is keeping them out of the
half-completed project," Kamps-Stewart said. "They love the
after-school program anyway. In fact, many times they're not ready
to leave when the day is done. Now thanks to this heartwarming and
gracious act of giving the children a gift, it will be even more
fun."
Staff writer John Carter can be reached at 359-4539 or via
e-mail at jcarterjacksonville.com.
