The John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground (SNAP) has a new lease on life thanks to the generosity of Coldwell Banker Team Hartselle Real Estate.

A $10,000 donation from the real estate team along with other recent pledges will enable the project to move forward with construction of a phase II splash pad, according to Bob Francis, project manager.

The next step is to let a request for proposals, Francis said. That will be done soon and we anticipate that the splash pad will be completed next summer.

Team Hartselle agents decided in August 2007 to pledge a percentage of total sales commissions to the SNAP project and set a goal of $10,000. Month by month, the fund grew and the goal was reached last month. Subsequently a check in that amount was presented to Francis by Bill Camp, owner.

All of our agents sacrificed during tough economic times to help SNAP because we felt it was a worthwhile community project, Camp said. We want to thank everyone who chose us as their realtor during this fundraising effort. It was their support that made it all possible.

Team Hartselle agents went a step further to demonstrate their generosity. Instead of exchanging Christmas gifts, they gave money to SNAP.

Francis said Coldwells donation is the largest one the SNAP project has received from small businesses since the county-wide fundraising effort was launched over two years ago.

Team Hartselle s efforts exemplify the community spirit that s behind this project and shows what teamwork can accomplish, Francis said. Your help is an inspiration to us all.
Francis said another key piece in SNAP s fundraising efforts is the receipt of a $75,000 Land and Water Conservation Grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

State Senator Arthur Orr is working with us on this now, Francis said. We feel good about our chances of getting the money once the 2009 federal allotment is released to the state.