MORGAN PARK — The Kennedy Park pool is getting 49 new deck chairs thanks to a fundraiser that raised more than $5,000.
The chairs were ordered Tuesday after a GoFundMe effort raised $4,892, said Carly Carney, who coordinated the fundraiser. The online effort, launched Jan. 23, resulted in 19 new lounge chairs, 15 club chairs and 15 sand chairs, Carney said.
In total, $5,801 was raised for the new chairs, she said. The additional donations were sent directly to the 95th Street Beverly Hills Business Association, which agreed to partner with the group in an effort to solicit tax-deductible donations
"We hope that you will enjoy the comforts of Kennedy Park Pool this summer. And a special thanks to those who don't use the pool but donated to support your neighborhood," Carney wrote on the GoFundMe site.
The GoFundMe effort originally sought $7,000 and was slated to run through March 15. But the deadline was extended when the initial goal was not reached in time, Carney said.
Ultimately, the fundraising goal was also reduced, as the Kennedy Park Advisory Council opted to pursue a grant for a sun shade at the pool that was part of the original effort.
If the grant is awarded, sun shades will also be placed in the dugouts of the baseball diamonds around the park at 11320 S. Western Ave., Carney said.
