Six years ago, Lucas Fritsche had a big vision for an all-inclusive playground. While a ribbon cutting for the playground occurred in late October, the Perry County Community Foundation recognized Fritsche’s efforts and presented him with the 2021 Humanitarian of the Year Award Nov. 4.
Brave. Passionate. Driven. Those were just three of the adjectives used by Perryville Primary Center Principal Emily Koenig in a video message at Thursday’s dinner.
“He explained why he wanted this to happen…it was exciting for many reasons. Lucas, a child, saw a need. He not only saw a need, but he took one step in front of the other until it became real.”
Lucas and Friends Backyward Adventures committee member Stephanie Schmidt also provided a brief recorded message.
“This project really speaks to my heart…” she said, adding her disabled son will be able to play with her younger daughter on the same playground. “Thanks to Lucas for having this opportunity in our small little town of Perryville. I’m very excited and looking forward it to being completely done and all the kids playing there.”
Koenig was one of several individuals on a prepared video which played Thursday evening prior to the presentation of the award to Fritsche.
“Lucas, congratulations…you dreamt and you dreamt big, which is what we always wanted you to do. Congratulations, I’m so proud of you,” Koenig said.
Jessica Ruesler of County Disability Resources as well as a member of the Backyard Playground Adventure Committee, said Fritsche’s story has been inspiring for the entire community.
“Lucas’ story and inspiration for this is so inspiring at such a young age that I knew it would be something that would be great for our area,” she said. “When we looked specifically at providing individuals with varying abilities the opportunity to play, such a basic thing, but it’s so important in so many ways, whether a child or an adult, they may not have had the opportunity to do what can do on this playground. Lucas has brought a lot of inspiration to our group. He has really wanted to see this playground to come to life. I know that as a child waiting so long for something so cool to happen can be challenging but he’s kept this moving forward. His family has been so awesome. They’ve done, obviously, countless hours of work to make this happen. We see out and about at events but there’s so much happening behind the scenes that goes on. Their dedication to this has been really inspiring.
“People said I built a playground, but this community…built the playground,” Fritsche said. “All I did was just speak up about how no one should be left out and all included. So I say again, let’s all play.”
“I want to thank all of you for coming here tonight,” Fritsche. “My mom told me I had to give a speech tonight. Mostly, I don’t really like giving long speeches, so I asked her, ‘What should I say?’ She said to thank all the people who sponsored the playground. Thank you to all the people who sponsored and helped build the playground for Perryville.”