BY Samantha Lape-Kesel
DUNDEE--Colt Wicker, a ten-year-old with an impressive fundraising resume, aims to raise money to improve the wooden playground at Dundee Central School.
In addition to some improvements to the 30-year-old playset, Colt wants to replace the stone walkways with ADA-approved materials to ensure that all students can enjoy it.
“We have already raised over $4,000 from popcorn sales, can and bottle collections, and a spaghetti dinner at Bk8d & Loaded in Penn Yan,” said Colt. “That money has replaced the swings and chains and made it possible to add an ADA-approved door to the existing Gaga ball pit.”
Colt and his family estimate that it will cost $250,000 to fully replace all of the existing equipment, add a walkway, and replace the pea gravel with rubber matting.
“This is a huge project and will take a lot of time,” said Colt’s father Brett Wicker. “Colt knows this playground won’t be complete before he moves on to middle school. He’s doing this for the kids that will use this playground for years to come.”
In the last five years, Colt has worked to raise money for The Living Well in Penn Yan, Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NYS Sheriff’s camp on Keuka Lake, the Dundee Central School food pantry, and pre-k/kindergarten early reading program, the Hope Walk of Yates County and Tyrone Fire Department and EMTs.
Taylor Howell, elementary teacher at DCS and Our Town Rocks literacy coordinator has been assisting Colt with this project. “Colt has an unmatched enthusiasm for his school community, and he is often showing his goodness to those around him,” said Howell. “We continue to brainstorm ways to improve the structure, as well as provide engaging outdoor activities that students can see in the near future. Colt’s hard work, dedication to the cause, and unwavering friendliness are second to none.”
Colt and his family have used different fundraising methods, such as private donations, selling popcorn, and redeeming cans and bottles. On Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the family is hosting a fundraising event at their Alpaca Farm, the Valley Variety Festival at Four Season Alpacas at 4418 Six Corners Rd. Visitors are welcome to stop by, purchase popcorn, and drop off their cans and bottles.
Colt will distribute one raffle ticket for each garbage bag brought by visitors. These tickets will be entered into a prize drawing held after the event.
“I just want to be someone who can help people,” said Colt when asked what he wants to be when he grows up.
If you would like to contribute, you can join them on Saturday, Oct. 7. However, if you are unable to attend, you can still donate. Donations can be mailed to or dropped off at Our Town Rocks, located at 12 Main Street, Dundee. Please make the checks payable to Our Town Rocks and include a memo stating Playground Fund.
DUNDEE--Colt Wicker, a ten-year-old with an impressive fundraising resume, aims to raise money to improve the wooden playground at Dundee Central School.
In addition to some improvements to the 30-year-old playset, Colt wants to replace the stone walkways with ADA-approved materials to ensure that all students can enjoy it.
“We have already raised over $4,000 from popcorn sales, can and bottle collections, and a spaghetti dinner at Bk8d & Loaded in Penn Yan,” said Colt. “That money has replaced the swings and chains and made it possible to add an ADA-approved door to the existing Gaga ball pit.”
Colt and his family estimate that it will cost $250,000 to fully replace all of the existing equipment, add a walkway, and replace the pea gravel with rubber matting.
“This is a huge project and will take a lot of time,” said Colt’s father Brett Wicker. “Colt knows this playground won’t be complete before he moves on to middle school. He’s doing this for the kids that will use this playground for years to come.”
In the last five years, Colt has worked to raise money for The Living Well in Penn Yan, Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NYS Sheriff’s camp on Keuka Lake, the Dundee Central School food pantry, and pre-k/kindergarten early reading program, the Hope Walk of Yates County and Tyrone Fire Department and EMTs.
Taylor Howell, elementary teacher at DCS and Our Town Rocks literacy coordinator has been assisting Colt with this project. “Colt has an unmatched enthusiasm for his school community, and he is often showing his goodness to those around him,” said Howell. “We continue to brainstorm ways to improve the structure, as well as provide engaging outdoor activities that students can see in the near future. Colt’s hard work, dedication to the cause, and unwavering friendliness are second to none.”
Colt and his family have used different fundraising methods, such as private donations, selling popcorn, and redeeming cans and bottles. On Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the family is hosting a fundraising event at their Alpaca Farm, the Valley Variety Festival at Four Season Alpacas at 4418 Six Corners Rd. Visitors are welcome to stop by, purchase popcorn, and drop off their cans and bottles.
Colt will distribute one raffle ticket for each garbage bag brought by visitors. These tickets will be entered into a prize drawing held after the event.
“I just want to be someone who can help people,” said Colt when asked what he wants to be when he grows up.
If you would like to contribute, you can join them on Saturday, Oct. 7. However, if you are unable to attend, you can still donate. Donations can be mailed to or dropped off at Our Town Rocks, located at 12 Main Street, Dundee. Please make the checks payable to Our Town Rocks and include a memo stating Playground Fund.
