A small donation with a huge gesture.
Two University of Windsor business students from Tecumseh have raised $700 to help replace the playground at Lacasse Park.
Robert Charlton and Adam Zanet organized a fundraiser as part of a project dealing with management and organization
The pair decided to partner with two Tecumseh elementary schools and raise funds for the playground. Charlton says students at A.V. Graham and St. Pius donated $1 on a Friday in December to wear a hat at school. "Each school raised over $300 each. From their numbers it's great percentages, so the kids are giving back and they can help out with the park. Hopefully one day they can play on it like we did back in the day."
Zanet says he was disappointed after learning about the fire at the park. "It was obviously a huge upset right because I use to go there all the time when I was a kid and to find out that it happened, it was pretty upsetting."
This past October, a 13-year-old boy lit a fire at the playground, causing more than $400,000 in damage.
The teen was charged with arson and was referred to the Essex County Youth Diversion Program by the court. He has issued a public letter, apologizing to the community.
Town officials are working with its insurance company to restore the playground.