East Fishkill's Julie's Jungle Adds $2K To Playground Fundraising Goal

EAST FISHKILL, N.Y. - Julie’s Jungle, an East Fishkill non-profit that created an accessible playground for children of all abilities in southern Dutchess County, is a step closer to adding new playground equipment after accepting a $2,000 check from Tompkins Mahopac Bank.

Pictured, from left: Jerry Klein, Tompkins Mahopac Bank president and CEO; Janet McHugh, Julie’s Jungle board member; Jean Breyer, Julie’s Jungle board member; and Pat Roden, Tompkins Mahopac Bank Branch Manager, Hopewell location.
Photo Credit: *photo submitted*

Skip Pearlman

12/11/2016 4:00 a.m.

The organization recently won the third Community Minute Challenge, a social media contest in which select nonprofits in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester Counties vied for the most public votes. A total of $6,000 was awarded during the three legs of competition.

The organization opened a handicapped-accessible playground in July on Lime Kiln Road in Hopewell Junction. The park was inspired by Julie Keating, a 15-year-old who loved to play outside and used a wheelchair or a walker before she died in 2007.

Julie's Jungle is now raising funds toward a sensory garden, safety surfaces and benches for the new playground.

Dutchess County is home to more than 2,500 disabled children, but the nearest handicapped-accessible playground is nearly 50 miles from East Fishkill

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