Community Partners Give Middle School West a Fresh Look

Our community partners at Niagara Cares and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation stepped up in a big way by lending their time and talents to provide Middle School West with a fresh look.

Niagara Cares works nationwide with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and partners for philanthropic opportunities. Niagara Cares chose to work in Gahanna, specifically at Middle School West, and through the partnership with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, the emphasis was on enriching the physical education experience for our students.

Our community partners delivered a variety of new and refreshed items over the two days of volunteering. In the playground area, volunteers built two gaga pits, three garden beds and painted two four square areas, including sudoku on the squares. TRX equipment was also installed on the exterior of the building for use during PE class. Behind the building are two sheds that will be used to store equipment for PE class and athletics, including some donated items as part of the partnership.

Inside the building, the teacher’s lounge and conference room received a refresh with new furniture and fresh paint. There is also fresh paint and new shelving in the locker rooms as well as dry erase boards in the locker rooms and gymnasium.

Over the two days, the volunteers were treated to the smiles on students' faces when they saw the new equipment and updates now available to them. A gaga ball game between students and volunteers capped off the time at Middle School West!