Our newest project, now in development stages, is to build a fully handicap accessible playground in the NEW Henry County Recreational & Services Park. This park will be accessible for all ages (multi generational) and provide recreation and entertainment for the disabled and able bodied population. The facility will be centrally located for many individuals, who would otherwise have to travel a hundred miles or more to have a place to enjoy. What started out to be a $30.000 project has turned into a $150,000 wonder...with over half of the funds already raised! This playground will be named after Michael and Friends For Michael, so people will remember the wonderful person Michael was, the many successes he accomplished and the goals he left behind for us to keep reaching for. Groundbreaking for the playground took place April 17, 2008 with the grand opening slated for 2009. Monetary contributions and monies made from donated items, specifically for this project, will be placed in our “playground fund”.
*All Donors $2500+ will be recognized on a permanent plaque placed at the playground.

FFM is planning a "Make a Difference Day" for Sat. Oct. 25th at the site of the new park where the "all accessible" playground will be built.. Actually anyone that would like to (businesses, civic groups, youth groups, school groups, individuals, etc) can come set up their own "fundraising booth" and be a part of the day. This can include doing their own games or rides, raffles, silent auctions, entertainment, food & drinks, etc.. This is good advertisement as well as an investment in the community. All money raised from the booths will go towards the new playground...
Oct. 25th is also NATIONAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY...
so by doing our own Make a Difference Day we can apply for grants to help with the playground as well!

We have listed some items below that we thought would be fun…but are not limited to….CREATIVITY is always good..

Craft Table Horse Drawn Buggy Rides/Hay Rides
Corn Hole Tourney Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides
Helium Balloons Face Painting
Pony Rides Baby/Little Tot Contest
Archery/Shooting Contest Kite Making/Flying Contest
Music - All Day Food - All Day
Inflatable Bouncers Talent Show
Pumpkin Painting Booth
Kids Games (Dart Balloons, Duck Pond, Fishing Pond, Bottle Toss, etc)

Businesses are welcome to set up and give away stuff...but they MUST do some sort of fundraiser as well. Booth Rental is reasonably priced at $50.....(space is not really limited...unless we just RUN OUT...which would be a GOOD thing!)

Of course a business can always sponsor one of our activities of the day as well...such as the Hot Air Balloon Rides...if you know of someone that has a balloon they can bring.....or sponsor the prizes for the baby/little tot contest or corn hole tournament....or inflatable bouncers.....just as examples....

This day is not intended to be an ANNUAL event....although.....one just never knows where something will take us.....we never dreamed eleven years ago we would be doing ANY of this now!! But Michael's untimely accident.......and then unexpected death has just reminded us how fragile life is and is a constant reminder of how blessed we all are in so many ways! God has definitely had a hand in Friends For Michael and continues to keep leading us in bigger and better directions than we could have ever imagined.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Volunteers and Organizers needed as well!!
Please call Cindy 532-7071 or 396-3214