Goshen student receives award, $10k donation for all-inclusive playground

By: Shannon Nolan Facebook | Twitter

Posted: Dec 18, 2018 1:49 PM EDT

Rochelle and Laura Elliott show the award Laura received at the ceremony.

Mayor Jeremy Stutsman, Rochelle Elliott, Laura Elliott, Andrew Roberts, Shamay Ruff, Kathy Roberts, Larry Cappis, Dawn McCool, Greg Kiser and Leah Connolly pose for a photo after BraunAbility announced its $10,000 donation to the Parks & Recreation Department.

Laura Elliott, her mother Rochelle and Mayor Stutsman pose for a photo after Laura’s ceremony concluded.

GOSHEN, Ind.—Goshen High School student, Laura Elliot, received recognition by BraunAbility for a letter she wrote to the Parks and Recreation Department calling for the construction of an all-inclusive playground.

The manufacturer of wheelchair vans and lifts recognized Elliot in a ceremony held on Tuesday at Goshen High School.

“Thanks to the courage Laura displayed when she wrote her letter campaigning for this inclusive park, finally, in the spring of 2019, Hay Park will be the home of a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of ability,” said Greg Kiser, vice president of consumer sales for BraunAbility.

Elliot received the “Spirit of Ability” Award. She was given a trophy and a $10,000 donation made to the Parks and Recreation Department to help fund the all-inclusive playground at Hay Park, located at 1414 Plymouth Avenue.

In 2017, Elliot wrote a letter to the Parks and Recreation Department advocating for the all-inclusive park.

“Laura has such a caring and compassionate heart for people with life challenges. She wants them to have the same opportunities to participate in every day play without limitations,” said Rochelle Elliot, Laura’s mom.

At the ceremony, Mayor Jeremy Stutsman announced that the City is hoping to break ground on the new playground in the spring of 2019.