Penn-Trafford track athlete’s fundraiser generates more than $8K for elementary school playground

Matthew Sarnowski left his final track and field season at Penn-Trafford High School with a new school discus record, a WPIAL championship title and a third place standing in the state.

But the Penn State-bound thrower also left the district with more than $8,000 to fund a new playground for its Trafford Elementary School.

Sarnowski began fundraising in March to help his former elementary school purchase a new playground to replace its 20-year-old set, which was torn down in August due to safety concerns.

In the first week, the Throws for Trafford fundraiser generated more than $3,500 through donations and pledges of one cent per foot Sarnowski threw in the discus, shot put and javelin events.

By the end of the track and field season, Sarnowski threw more than 4,400 feet, and more than 100 people donated $8,100 to support the cause, he said.

“It definitely meant a lot — just to help out in any way I can,” said Sarnowski, 18, of Penn Township. “It felt very good and it made me very happy to help out.”

The playground equipment has been purchased and is scheduled for a late September arrival, said Trafford Elementary Principal Dan DiNapoli.

With Sarnowski’s donation, Trafford was just $10,000 short of the project’s $165,000 cost, which includes the playground equipment and mulch. The remaining $10,000 was supplied by the school’s education fund, DiNapoli said.

“(Matt) put his mind to something he wanted to do for his old elementary school and he put a plan together and he completed that plan with higher expectations than the rest of us were even thinking,” he said.

After more than 10 years at Trafford Elementary, DiNapoli will move in the fall to Sunrise Elementary in a realignment of the district’s principals.

DiNapoli said he will continue to be a part of the playground project until its completion.

“These guys have all worked so hard trying to put this plan together and the kids are excited about it,” he said. “I’m excited myself to see the final project and see how happy the kids are.”