05 Oct 2015 Partners to create playground in Vilonia area hit by tornado

Several groups will come together 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, to create a playground in a Vilonia neighborhood hit hard by the April 27, 2014, tornado.

Sgt. Daniel Wassom was one of the many victims who lost their life at the hands of the EF-4 tornado which tore through the community. His wife, Susanne Wassom, donated the lot where their home stood to the City of Vilonia on behalf of her late husband. On Saturday, more than 100 volunteers from REVIVE, the City of Vilonia and residents of the Vilonia community will join forces to restore a sense of play and joy by building a new playground in an area that needs to be revitalized.

The kickoff ceremony is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. at Remembrance Park at 26 Aspen Creek in Vilonia, with construction to follow. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned around 3 p.m.

REVIVE works to help the City of Vilonia with long-term recovery and ensure that elected officials are equipped with the proper tools and resources. The group also volunteers to ensure progress, initiates positive change, vitalizes the local economy and endures for the next generation by assisting Vilonia in fulfilling projects that will help sustain the community and quality of life.

The new playground will bring more than 1,000 kids in Vilonia one step closer to restoring their childhood and provide positive changes that are to come in the near future in their community. On Sunday, April 27, 2014, the tornado took the lives of Vilonia residents and destroyed dozens of homes and 70 percent of Vilonia’s businesses. Included in the tornado’s path of damage was the newly developed neighborhood, Parkwood Meadows Subdivision. All homes were occupied, consisting of families with children. In the wake of this tragedy, the revitalization of this park is critical to restoring a sense of play, joy and community to the Parkwood Meadows Subdivision.

The playground, sponsored by REVIVE, will be the first built by the company and second by the City of Vilonia. REVIVE is proud to support the City of Vilonia, and give children a place to come together and enjoy the play they deserve. REVIVE takes pride in sharing its value in making Vilonia more sustainable by creating a better community for the next generation.

For more information, contact Kira Livingston at 501.796.8194 or [email protected].