More than 5,000 special-needs children will be able to grow and play in Miracle Park

ANKENY, Iowa (July 31, 2013) – Community members have joined together to support children with special needs in Iowa. Thanks to the Ankeny Monsanto site, the Ankeny Community Foundation has raised an additional $20,000 for the $1.3 million fund to construct Miracle Park. The Ankeny site and the Monsanto Fund support the community in which Monsanto employees live and work by investing in programs, such as the construction of Miracle Park, across rural America.

The Ankeny Community Foundation was formed in 2006 to support projects to improve the city and quality of life for residents. Using the Monsanto grant and other community donations, the foundation has worked in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Association to raise money to construct a park that serves children with physical, cognitive or developmental challenges. After construction is complete, more than 5,000 children with special needs in Central Iowa will have an accessible playground and the opportunity to participate in an organized baseball league.

“Parks and Rec provides special events, clean trails and programs for people of all ages and abilities,” said Ryan Penning, recreation supervisor for the city of Ankeny. “That’s really why this project came about—to serve the community of kids with special needs.”

The Miracle Park project has been a true testament to the support this community provides for its residents. All of the construction funding has come from grants or personal donations. Kim Schaaf, Ankeny Monsanto site lead, heard about Miracle Park and knew it presented a good opportunity for Monsanto to continue its support within the community.

“We have many employees who live in Ankeny, and this project is a win-win, both for the city and for those who work and live here,” said Schaaf. “We wanted to support this organization because of the opportunities it will provide for special needs children. After completion, they will enjoy a playground made specifically for them and be able to safely play on a team.”

This year, the Monsanto Fund awarded 120 site grants to nonprofit organizations in 24 states. In Iowa alone, 24 site grants were awarded and totaled $204,295. The Monsanto Fund strives to meet critical needs in communities in a number of ways, including investing in K-12 education, projects focus on hunger, nutrition and first responders.

About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

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