By KATE LAUGHLIN

Vandalism in any form in senseless and destructive, but what happened on the night of Oct. 1 was an act of cruelty. On that night, an unknown person or persons came into the playground area at Sacajawea Elementary School (9501 NE 20th), doused the wooden playscape in an accelerant and set it ablaze. An attentive neighbor spotted the flames and called 911, but not in time to save the school's only playground equipment from complete destruction.

After the initial shock and sadness had passed, Sacajawea's PTA started the seemingly endless task of finding a way to replace the very structure they had built only 10 years before. While the playscape was covered by the school's insurance, the $100,000 deductible made that avenue useless. Meetings with the school system soon revealed that updated codes and new environmental regulations would make it an arduous and expensive undertaking. Figures as high as $50,000 were being suggested as an end tally to the whole project.

Undaunted, Sacajawea parents and staff looked for other resources and discovered the City of Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods has something called a Small and Simple Neighborhood Grant. The grant matches dollar for dollar up to $10,000, and will also match volunteer work for $10 per hour.

Parents, staff and community members immediately began pledging their hours to help work on the project. This is a good thing, as the playscape selection committee is narrowing in on the chosen playground equipment and the final cost looks to be roughly $40,000. This figure includes having to break up and remove the asphalt, as it doesn't meet current regulations. For the same reason, a drainage system and special surfacing need to be put in before the new playscape can be erected.

Luckily, the PTA has been told that they may apply for the SSN Grant twice, which, if successful, may enable the school to cover all the above costs. However, that still leaves $20,000 for the PTA to raise.

But Sacajawea has been blessed with a guardian angel. Actually, a whole group of them. Having seen the tragic story on the news, The University of Washington's Alpha Xi Delta sorority contacted the school and offered to help raise the necessary funds to replace the playscape. Taking them up on their generous offer, Sacajawea planned and performed a Playscape Benefit Concert of Dec. 17, featuring a local flute player, percussionist and their two student ensembles. Alpha Xi Delta not only sold tickets for the event, they secured donated refreshments to sell at the concert. All proceeds went toward the Playscape Fund. Furthermore, Alpha Xi Delta has promised to stay by the school's side until every last penny has been raised.

According to the PTA, they hope to begin work on the playground by late spring. They are still looking for individuals or organizations willing to help either with donations of money, time or equipment. Any hours pledged would be worth $10 per hour toward the matching grant. Lots of equipment will be needed in the way of trucks, bobcats, jackhammers, wheelbarrows, shovels, or anything else that would aid in the removed of asphalt and old wood chips. Those with construction experience are encouraged to contact the school, though any offers of help would be gladly accepted.

To find out more about how you can help, call the Sacajawea school office at 729-3390.