NEWTON, IL - After spending weeks collecting donations from community members in exchange for their pledges to walk, run or read for specific time periods, Emerson Hough students — along with their families and neighbors — will gather at the school playground Saturday for a Triathafunathon.

“We’re in some very preliminary stages of fundraising for a new playground,” Emerson Hough Principal Jim Gilbert said. “The old fort will eventually need to be replaced. It’s starting to show lots of wear and tear, and we need to create greater handicap accessibility.”

School administrators are in the process of selecting new equipment, and Emerson Hough PTA members have been brainstorming ideas for fundraising activities. Gilbert said PTA members decided to launch the fundraising campaign with the Triathafunathon.

“Instead of selling things, the children make pledges for healthy things they are going to do — read so much a week, run, walk,” Gilbert said. “Kids then solicited donations from relatives, friends and neighbors.”

From 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Emerson Hough students will participate in the running and walking segments of the Triathafunathon. Other fundraising activities during this time will include free games, face painting for 50 cents, pumpkin painting for $1, a blow-up slide for 25 cents a turn, snacks and beverages from 25 cents to $1 and a silent auction. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will include a hamburger or hot dog, chips and drink for $2. Games also will continue until 12:30 p.m., when prizes will be awarded to Triathafunathon participants.