EBENSBURG — A new playground opened up to the public on the campus of the Central Cambria School District on Monday, July 6, 2015. It’s one that every child can enjoy.
Autumn’s Angels is a fund through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. It was started by Eric and Dana Danchanko, who tragically lost their 2-year-old daughter Autumn. She passed away in the fall of 2011. It was important to the Danchanko family to continue to preserve their daughter’s legacy, celebrate her spirit, and give back to the community. The Danchanko family said that laying a child to rest is the most devastating thing anyone could face and they want others to know that they are not alone in their struggle.
This is the second playground the family helped make possible. They were contacted by the elementary school principal to help make a playground that handicap accessible possible for kids. Eric and Dana worked with the district and Central Cambria Education Foundation on the design of the playground. The Danchanko family donated money from their fund at the Foundation, along with equipment and volunteers to the playground. This ‘all-inclusive playground’ was constructed on the districts campus outside of Ebensburg. It was made possible through a state grant of $245,762 that was given to the Central Cambria Education Foundation. The grant awarded in November 2014, it covered the cost to purchase and install the playground equipment. It was designed so that all children can have a safe place to play.
The grant was from the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program, which is overseen by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The program’s goal is to promote greenways, recreational space, open space, trails, parks, and river conservation.
The Danchankos are one of many families who have started a fund through the Foundation in memory of a loved one to keep their legacy alive. If you’re interested in starting a fund or would like to support the mission of Autumn’s Angels, you can contact the Foundation.
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