RIVER FALLS, Wis. A game-changing donation means its full speed ahead for a universally accessible playground dedicated to the memory of three sisters whose lives ended tragically.
The Tri-Angels Playground committee reached its $555,000 fundraising goal, thanks to a $50,000 pillar sponsorship donated by Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. Affinity Plus was the lien holder on the River Falls property where Amara, Sophie and Cecilia Schaffhausen were killed by their father Aaron Schaffhausen in July of 2012. Part of the pillar donation came from proceeds of the recent sale of the lot where the Schaffhausen home stood before it was demolished.
The new playground, which will be built on the grounds of Hoffman Park in River Falls, is being built in the memory of Amara, Sophie and Cecilia, and Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union CEO, Dave Larson says remembering their lives is a worthwhile endeavor.
"What happened is unimaginable," said Larson.
The credit union led the effort to deconstruct the house piece by piece and donate the usable materials to worthwhile building projects. Donating the proceeds from the sale of the land underneath that home seemed like the next logical step.
"When we discovered that they were slightly short of their goal to build the playground, the decision was easy," Larson said. "Its the right thing to do, and were honored to play a small role in the remembrance of the girls."
Groundbreaking for the Tri-Angels Playground is scheduled for spring, to be followed by a community build in June and a tentative opening planned for August 15.
While the official fundraising goal has been met, the Tri-Angels Playground committee encourages interested people to continue to donate. Additional funds will be used to cover added play equipment, maintenance costs and increases in construction materials. To donate, go the Tri-Angels Playground website.
