By Pricillia Alvik
After an EF-2 tornado touched down in Tingley on April 26, 2024, the town immediately went into clean-up and plan mode. The Tingley Betterment Foundation formed to help facilitate the rebuilding of the Tingley Community Playground that was destroyed.
Spearheaded by town resident Macy Jarred, the playground began to physically take shape on Tuesday, September 30 with the help of Lee Archin.
Team leaders Matt Benjamin and Don Swanborough also flew in with Archin to help on the project. Jarred enlisted the help of various local volunteer organizations to help in the building of the playground, that was completed in four days. The Mount Ayr High School, Creston High School and Southwest Iowa Community College Carpentry Programs, along with local volunteers were also on hand last Tuesday to begin the project.
Lunches and dinners throughout the week were provided by various entities. On this afternoon Ellston United Methodist Church fed 39 hungry volunteers. Archin stated on his departure, “What a great, fun group of people to work with. Memorable.”
