In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, there will be a Digging the Love fundraiser tonight to benefit UF Baby Gator Child Development Centers.
The fundraiser, hosted by Chris Machen and Danette Good, will be at the UF President’s House from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include food, drinks and auctions.
Tickets cost $50 a person and can be purchased online or at the door. Funds will help create natural playgrounds, which incorporate elements of nature.
“We want to remove concrete and plastic and replace those with pieces that are made from natural elements,” said Pamela Pallas, director of Baby Gator Child Development and Research Centers at UF.
Some trees that have to be cut down on campus will be recycled to make benches, decks and playhouses, Pallas said.
Stacy Ellis Thomas, associate director for Baby Gator, wrote in an email that teachers and students will use the new playgrounds to explore nature and grow produce.
Pallas said she expects about 200 guests and hopes to raise $40,000. The goal is to begin construction in the next few weeks.
Contact Alexa Volland at avolland@alligator.org.
