SHROEPPEL, N.Y. -- In October we told you about Samantha Furco, a high school senior trying to raise $70,000 to build a playground for disabled kids.

At the time of our story Furco had only raised about $5,000, but that was before she held a very successful benefit dinner at RFH's Hide-A-Way in Phoenix.

"It went really well. We actually ran out of spaghetti and tickets at the door. So many people showed up,” said Samantha Furco.

"We did over 400 spaghetti dinners. I think it did very well. I'm not really sure how much she raised but I know it was quite a bit,” said Mark Holbrook, RFH's Hide-A-Way Co-Owner.

Furco says she raised $3,600 from the event, bringing her total to more than $11,000. Her next fundraiser will be a rummage sale next month, but until then she is keeping busy trying to get people involved in her cause.

"I sent a letter to the governor and to Hillary Clinton and she sent me a letter back.,” said Furco.

Furco says Senator Clinton told her she thought what she was doing was a good idea. An idea that started at William Farley Junior Community Park, when Furco saw a boy in a wheelchair watching other kids play on the playground. Furco says she wants to give the boy a place to play and enjoys helping people.

"I’ve been involved with the Special Olympics for four years so it's like, it kind of grows on you. You realize you need to do something about it,” said Furco.

"A lot of these small communities or big communities could use somebody like her,” said Holbrook.

Furco is also working to develop a website about the project.
If you would like to contribute to the construction of the playground you can do so by calling Samantha at (315) 857-8762.