The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club has completed a $6,054 project to replace an unsafe play set with a brand-new playground at the Estes Valley Crisis Advocates (EVCA). The effort was funded through a $3,500 District 5440 grant, with the Rotary Club contributing an additional $2554.
Over four weekends this summer (2025), Rotarians demolished the old structure, cleared the site, installed French drains, laid landscape fabric, assembled the new play set, and finished the area with rubber mulch for safety. A Rotary plaque and emblem were added to mark the club’s contribution.
"Play is such an important part of childhood and healing," said Anna Jones, Client Resource Manager at Estes Valley Crisis Advocates. "Thanks to the Sunrise Rotary Club, the children we serve now have a safe, welcoming space where they can simply be kids, even during difficult times."
EVCA, a nonprofit based in Estes Park, provides essential support for survivors of crime and trauma. Their services include safe housing, counseling, and community education. EVCA assists individuals and families facing a wide range of challenges, including domestic violence, sexual assault, child and elder abuse, stalking, sudden and unattended deaths, accidents, suicide bereavement, hate crimes, human trafficking, and harassment. In 2024 alone, EVCA served 466 clients and provided 908 nights of safe shelter.
“Our Club truly came together on this project. We had plenty of volunteers at every work session, and everyone pitched in and found a role to get the job done,” said Janet Zeschin, Club member who wrote the district grant and organized the project.
Through this project, Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary has not only enhanced the safety and well-being of children at EVCA but also strengthened the club’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families in the Estes Valley community.
For more information about Estes Valley Crisis Advocates, visit www.crisisadvocates.org.