The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by David Grimes for The Quill
Sometimes the help you need can be found in your own backyard.
And no one knows that better than Nanci King-Sterett.
That help "dollars to fund the purchase of new playground equipment for Biggsville's village park" came in the form of help from her employer, G.E. in West Burlington, IA, through the Elfuns Hawkeye Chapter.
The group seeks out special community projects to underwrite and to provide volunteer assistance to complete.
King-Sterett has worked two years seeking out fundraising solutions and brainstorming with the village board in getting the project underway.
The village's 100 or so school age children have had no slides or swings to play on for some time and the Biggsville woman thought it was time to change that.
Her son Andrew, 7, and daughter Johanna, 2, helped to re-enforce that conviction.
Work on her own was moving slowly, until help from the Elfuns dawned on her.
King-Sterett made an application with G.E. officials recently, but was initially turned down.
"There was a misunderstanding about what the project was for," she said. "When they saw "Village of Biggsville' on the application, they thought it was a privately owned gated community."
But the misunderstanding was cleared up and the project was a go.
King-Sterett was notified Friday that Biggsville was approved and a check for $2,555 was awarded the project.
A date has yet to be set for a work day when members of the local Elfuns chapter will meet in Biggsville to set up the 2-section swing set and toddler swings.
King-Sterett plans to see other pieces added in the future.
For now she's just happy she found the financial backing Biggsville needed right in her own workplace.
"Everything is working out all around for everyone involved," she said.
New Playground equipment for Biggsville kids will soon be put up in the Village Park, thanks to the brainstorming efforts of Nanci King-Sterett.