Community member steps up to help

MOSES LAKE - With the help of a community member, the construction debt owed for Gen. James H. Doolittle Park in Moses Lake is paid.

Bob Trask nominated Larson Heights Elementary teacher Tara Childs for the 2008 Community Hero Award sponsored by the Safeco Insurance Foundation.

She didn't win the nomination but did win an honorary award for $2,000 to go toward the park for her work with the Passion for a Playground Group.

Childs won the award Nov. 24.

Trask said he knew there was still a remaining balance owed on the park and wanted to help.

He wrote a brief essay on why Childs should win the award and a judging panel chose her as one of the recipients.

"She's a deserving lady and she still has a little more to go," he said. "It was just an opportunity I saw. If we can get her over the hump, perfect."

Childs said Trask was instrumental to the completion of the park.

"I'm touched about what Mr. Trask did for me," she said. "I felt very honored because I don't think of myself as a hero. I really look up to Bob Trask because he was very helpful in making this park happen."

She said she is relieved the park construction debt is gone.

There is still a need for about $2,500 to build signs for the park and about $1,000 each year for regular upkeep.