Sioux Falls Fire Rescue was called to Hawthorne Elementary School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Saturday, May 23, 2015 to extinguish a fire that was started on the school's playground equipment.

The fire not only melted the school's plastic playground equipment, but the heat and smoke also caused additional damage to the school building.

Knowing how important playground equipment can be to an elementary school, an Augustana College student from Tea, South Dakota, Kayla Koterwski, decided she had to do something to help. So she set up a GoFundMe page.

Koterwski, who is studying Religion, Journalism and Gender Studies, writes on the GoFundMe page,

This project is focused on raising enough money to help the school fund the purchase of a new playground.

I am a college student from the Sioux Falls area, after hearing about the destruction that occurred to the playground and parts of the school building I found myself hoping someone would set up a fundraising campaign, I realized that if I was hoping someone else would do it, then I may as well start one.

The funds raised here will be given to Hawthorne Elementary to fund the costs of a new playground for the school.

A playground is a vital part of a young child's learning experience. Your help in the effort to raise the needed funds to assist in providing the children of Hawthorne Elementary a new playground will help ease the burden of the costs of a new playground as well as remind the students and staff of Hawthorne Elementary that they are so supported and cared for.

The Sioux Falls Police Department estimates the fire caused about $40,000 worth of damage to the playground and school.

Koterwski will be meeting with administrators from Hawthorne Elementary to get a better sense of what will need to be replaced and the best way to donate. Until then, donations have already started to come in through the GoFundMe page.

If you would like to help Koterwski get the much needed playground equipment for Hawthorne Elementary School, click GoFundMe.

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