Athmar Park

'Timmy’s Eagle' Touches & Inspires Athmar Park

Nov 06, 2005

by Ana Gonzales

On a very bright and warm day this past August, a tragic story transformed into a symbol of giving and happiness. On Monday, August 22nd, a sculpture was dedicated in the year-old playground at our own neighborhood Saint Rose of Lima Catholic School.

The tragic story begins with an eleven-year old boy named Timmy Sowders, who loved raptors and Boy Scouts. Timmy was killed in a terrible car crash on his way to his summer camp physical. His troop awarded him an honorary Eagle award at his funeral.

Artist Harold Linke, created ?“Timmy?’s Eagle?” for the St. Rose playground, in honor of Timmy.

WHY AT ST. ROSE?
Timmy?’s father works for First Data Corporation, who commissioned Harold Linke to create the work of art in memory of Timmy. First Data Corporation and Computer Associates funded a new KaBoom playground at St. Rose in November 2004. KaBoom is a nationwide program that builds inner-city playgrounds to inspire kids to reach farther than what they would have thought possible. St. Rose applied for the KaBoom grant 5 years ago but was not selected until 2004.

KaBoom not only secured the funding but they also organized 100 volunteers. Along with another 100 volunteers from the St. Rose community, the playground was built in just one weekend. Jeannie Courchene, St. Rose principal says, ?“The kids are so excited, even the older kids want to play in the new playground. It means a great deal to the (school) kids and the neighborhood kids to have a place to play.?”

Then, on August 22, 2005, on the first day of school, the bronze sculpture ?“Timmy?’s Eagle?” was dedicated in honor of Timmy Sowders. Everyone involved in the project could not help but be touched by the tragic loss of an innocent, but also by the sincere generosity of others. In looking at this sculpture, it appears to this writer, at least, that Timmy?’s spirit is on the verge of taking flight, ready to soar to the heavens ?… a vibrant spirit that I hope will continue to fly, inspiring all of us.