Through the summer, all eight of Miss Lacy’s students could be seen taking a shift at the lemonade stand. Through their hard work, a new playground will be available to the students soon. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

A lemonade stand might sound simple, but at Miss Lacy’s Preschool it’s part of something much bigger: a community effort to build a brand-new playground for local preschoolers.

The private program, run by teacher Lacy Starits, has been operating in Toledo for four years and serves children ages 3 to 5. While the preschool is thriving, Starits explained that the cost of a safe, modern playground was beyond what the school could manage without extra help.

“Playgrounds are one of those things that just wasn’t going to happen with our regular budget,” Starits said. “So we started doing fundraisers — breakfasts, sales, little events — and the community really showed up to support us.”

Over the summer, Miss Lacy’s Preschool hosted a breakfast fundraiser in July, another in August, a cucumber sale, and most recently, a lemonade stand. Families of students pitched in, and community members stopped by to contribute. Together, the efforts raised enough to purchase new playground equipment and the required safety surfacing underneath it.

In addition to community support, the preschool has received outside help. Starits said the program received a $2,000 grant from Better Tomorrows and is anticipating a $1,000 grant from Growing Iowa next month. Those funds will go directly toward the playground and fall surfacing.

Miss Lacy (far left), joined by regular classroom helper and mom, Becky Starits (far right), smiles and enjoys the Tama County Fair with the class, keeping with the program's commitment to community involvement. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The project doesn’t stop there. Starits said updates are ongoing: plans include storage for outdoor toys, improvements to the sandbox, and eventually fencing the play yard.

“There are always projects,” she said with a smile. “But for now, the big goal — the playground — is becoming a reality.”

Starits, who earned her elementary education degree in 2014 and her early childhood endorsement last spring, previously taught in the public school system for six years before opening her preschool at home. She said the experience of running her own program has allowed her to focus on the parts of learning that matter most at this age.

“We spend a lot of time on social and emotional skills, and we get out in the community as much as we can,” Starits said. “The kids know that they raised money and bought a playground. They’re part of the process, and that makes it so exciting for them.”

Miss Lacy’s Preschool is full for the upcoming school year with eight children enrolled, but Starits welcomes interested families to follow the school’s Facebook page for updates. The preschool plans to continue fundraising events next summer and encourages community members to come out and take part.

“The kids love seeing people show up to support them,” Starits said. “Their joy and eagerness to learn and explore is the most rewarding part of this journey for me.”

For more information about the program or future fundraisers, visit Miss Lacy’s Preschool on Facebook.