A group working to implement improvements at Paige-Liberty Park in Fayette was surprised with the presentation of a check in the amount of $50,000 from The Veterans United Foundation. The presentation drew cheers and tears of joy Saturday afternoon.

The surprise was made by Fayette native Jill Dickneite (nee Williams) and local resident Josh Kirby, both of whom are employees of Veterans United Home Loans. The volunteer group was asked to meet at the park to work out details of its application to VUF for the grant when Dickneite and Kirby made the surprise announcement.

The volunteers, along with the group “Fayette Together” plan to use the money to purchase new playground equipment and improve shelter houses at the park. 

“We’re so grateful for Veterans United. We hope that this is just the beginning of progress here in Fayette,” said Tim Jackman, a member of Fayette Together. “As a city, we struggle with resources. But if all minds and hearts can come together, it’s amazing what we can do. This is going to make a big splash in Fayette. I hope this is something that will get people fired up, wanting to invest more in this community.”

Dr. Hope Tinker, a member of the AdHoc committee working toward park improvements, said that she has been in contact with Fayette Optimist Club President Jon Bishop about further help with the project. “He’s taking our project to the optimist board with the hopes that they can help with the shelter house floor. Maybe the tables,” she explained.

The grant is one of four from the Veterans United Foundation to benefit organizations in Fayette. In November Daly Elementary was awarded $58,084 for playground improvements, and the Fayette Area Community Theatre received $40,000 to build a stage and pay for other building upgrades. In addtiion, the White-Bell Post of the American Legion in Fayette was awarded $5,000. Grants are funded by a $10 million campaign by the Veterans United Foundation to benefit nonprofit organizations.

The check was presented to St. Paul United Methodist Church, which is a 501c3.

The grant campaign is in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Veterans United Home Loans, which is headquartered in Columbia. A majority of the charitable organizations are located within the mid-Missouri area, with others located throughout the country near the 30 Veterans United Home Loans branch locations. More than $8 million of the funds are going to mid-Missouri organizations. Funds were donated to organizations where VU employees reside. Several of those employed in Columbia live in Fayette.

“I know that some people see this as the black park,” said Jackman. “And without a doubt, it has served the black community when a lot of us were growing up. But we really want this to be shown as another city park, a community park. If you come out here during the week you won’t just see people of color out here, you’ll see other people out here, and people of all ages out here. I think it’s an appropriate setting, and an appropriate facility for this community to take advantage of.”

Other improvements could include a mural painted on one outside wall of the cement restroom, lowering picnic tables to make them more handicapped accessible, a new flag and flag pole, and better maintenance of the baseball field.