After raising an extraordinary amount of funds for a life-saving tool for the local fire department, the same group is aiming to bring Axtell its first local park.
“We originally started the farmers market to help raise money for our jaws of life tool,” said Amanda Ruble, the fundraiser and farmers market organizer.
Finding that the Axtell Volunteer Fire Department had an out of date jaws of life, Ruble, along with her community, decided to create a local farmers market to help raise funds to update their fire department’s equipment. Raising $30,000 in just a few short months, and purchasing the tool, Ruble now aims to take that same effort and bring Axtell their first park and playground.
“Our closest park is in Bellmead which about 15 to 20 minutes away and you know we’re obviously a community that’s got school-age kids and teenagers that need something to do because there is nothing to do out here for them,” said Ruble.
The Axtell Farmers Market held every other Saturday brings in funds through vendor participation. All proceeds from the market go towards the local park effort, with a small donation paid to the volunteer fire department for the use of their land and its upkeep.
“We’re trying to put in a community park, with a half-court basketball goal that way our community has a place to take their families to and spend family time and get the needed exercise,” said Ruble.
The goal to create Axtell’s first park and playground is $60,000.
Along with the farmer market vendors, the grassroots group is taking donations at their PayPal to help purchase the land and equipment for the park at https://paypal.me/farmersmarket2020?locale.x=en_US
The group is also open to all donations of equipment and facilities for the park.
The market will be open from 8 A.M to 1 P.M. on the following dates:
October 3
October 17
October 31
November 14
December 5
December 19 (last show)
The market will reopen again March/April of 2021.
Group organizers said everyone is welcome to their market, where social distancing and COVID regulations are being followed. The market will be held at 4465 East Old Axtell Road.