Restaurant collects Pennies for the Park

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Paul Martin

From left -- Kim Henry tells Courtney Carpenter and Rebekah Moyers about the project. Tribune photo/Scott Nuzum.

By Paul Martin

Special to The Tribune

McDonald's restaurant in Fort Scott hosted McPenny Park Night on Tuesday.

It was a huge success. The restaurant donated 20 percent of the night's proceeds to the Pennies for the Park fund, which will be used by the Youth Activities Team for the Ellis Park Project.

"We believe in this park," McDonald's owner Mark McCoy said. "The park will be a great thing for Fort Scott so that all the patrons and the kids will have greater activities to do here in Fort Scott."

The 20-percent donation came out to $504.78. In addition, the Youth Activities Team raised $487.69 in its penny containers throughout the evening. Total donations in the Pennies for the Park fund come to $3,839.88.

Members of the Youth Activities Team said they would like to thank McDonald's for hosting this event; everyone from the community who came to support the event; The Fort Scott Tribune, KMDO/KOMB, and the local schools for advertising the event; and local sign maker Thom Prue, for the large "penny guy" sign.

Upcoming Pennies for the Park fundraising events include the following:

* April 8 -- Wendy's Penny Park Night, 5-8 pm.

* April 12 -- City Wide Garage Sale, Buck Run Community Center parking lot. Bring items for donations Friday afternoon or evening to Buck Run old gym for sorting and pricing.

* May 4 -- "Beauty and the Beast" by Paul Mesner Puppets, 3 p.m. at the Liberty Theatre.

* May 22-23 -- KOMB (103.9 FM) and KMDO (1600 AM) Radiothon.

McDonald's Restaurant donated 20 percent of proceeds during its McPenny Park Night, Tuesday evening, netting $504.78 toward the Pennies for the Park fund. See the story on page 1 to find out about upcoming Pennies for the Park fundraisers. Diagram courtesy of YAT.

Any individuals or businesses who would like donate to or raise funds for the Ellis Park Project may contact one of the Youth Activities Team members or visit their Web site at www.yatfortscott.com for more information.