Custodian, Bob Espel standing in front of the Douglas School entrance with scissors in hand, ready to cut his beard.

With summer soon approaching, Douglas Elementary is looking to make some much needed improvements to the grounds surrounding their building. Using funds from the Preschool for All grant, the school has purchased new age-appropriate playground equipment to promote physical activity, creativity, and social interaction. To coincide with the arrival of the new playground equipment, the school is seeking help from the community to improve and enhance the existing landscaping by adding new plants and flowers around the building's exterior.

School custodian, Mr. Bob Espel, has once again come up with a plan to help raise money for this project. In the spring of 2021, Mr. Bob challenged the Douglas Community to raise money for the Bureau County Food Pantry and collected over $3000 by trading his famous beard in for spare change. For this year’s challenge, Mr. Bob is willing to go one step further. The class who raises the most money will get to help him shave that beard, while the class who raises the second highest amount will help shave his head! 

This fundraising challenge has proven to be very popular with the students, parents, and staff in the past, and we’re hoping that with your help, we can greatly improve, enrich, and beautify the surroundings of Douglas Elementary. Donations can be sent with students or dropped off in the main office. If you have any questions, please contact school principal, Mandy Hunt, by phone at 815.872.9741 or email at ahunt@pes115.org.