The White River Education Foundation hosted their first Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 26 to raise money for scholarships and programs they fund and also for the assembly of an accessible playground for the White River Developmental Preschool at Mountain Meadow Elementary.

“It was a great event,” said Andrea Weymiller, member-at-large. “It was very successful.”

There were roughly 260 people in attendance, she said.

The total funds needed to complete the project is $250,000. After the event they are a quarter to the goal, they raised $50,000 which is double what they raised last year at their fundraiser, Weymiller said.

Right now there are no other fundraisers scheduled to raise the additional money, she said. She added that the foundation hopes to find donors to help raise the remaining funds needed.

The playground has already been purchased, the funds needed are to pay for site preparation and installation.

Weymiller said a feel good moment for her was when Janel Keating, superintendent of the White River School District and Hugh Flint, director of student services, were on stage talking about the need for this playground.

“It was pretty amazing to see people so passionate about the children,” she said. “It was very meaningful to see the community come together for the kids, while having a good time.”