Tony O’Neal has been the lead fund-raiser. He has raised about $7,000 from local companies such as McDonald’s, Perry Bros., Harris Teeter and Radio Shack, as well as individual donors. But the goal, which needs to be met by December, is $10,000.
When O’Neal reaches $10,000, the town of Aberdeen has agreed to match those funds.
“When I hit $10,000, the town is going to give me another $10,000,” O’Neal said.
The park will be in the Berkley Community next to the Aberdeen Community Center on land donated by Mayor Betsy Mofield.
O’Neal has been hobbled during his fund-raising campaign by a painful injury to his hip. He said that he draws strength from generosity of people like Mofields.
“I gives you a feeling like you are doing something worthwhile,” he said.
He is putting together a fund-raiser to be at the Community Center on Saturday. It will feature a school choir and a step-dance team. He said there is still time to make the goal.
“I hope we can do it,” he said. “I think about what we’re doing it for — it’s a good thing.”
