The community of Crapaud, P.E.I., came together and raised nearly $250,000 to build a playground at Englewood School, as was their teacher’s last wish.

Pam Kelly was a Grade 2 teacher at Englewood School who lost her life to cancer. Her obituary requested that people not give flowers but make memorial contributions to build a playground for the kids at Englewood School. A special Englewood School Playground Fund was created in her honour, and the community raised money to create Pam’s Playground, where kids can be seen using the new equipment.

Pam was a much-loved teacher who passed away from cancer in 2022 at the age of 48. After her death, her obituary asked for donations to a playground fund at the school, something the school community was not aware of until then. Pam had always hoped to build a playground for the students in Grades 4 to 6, who did not have one like the younger kids. Thanks to the memorial donations, the community and the school helped make her last wish come true.

The Englewood Home and School Association started fundraising from scratch for Pam’s Playground, beginning with a Halloween event that raised $2,500. Donations from local families, businesses, and former students who wanted to honour Pam Kelly’s memory helped raise nearly $250,000 over the next year and a half. Many donors had personal connections to Pam, as she had taught their children. The official opening of the playground was an emotional and special event, with Pam’s family, former students, and staff coming together to celebrate her lasting impact.

Source: Ryan McKellop, CBC