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GATESVILLE – Thanks to the generosity of the Gates County Sheriff’s Office and others, children are back at play here after the playground equipment at a daycare was vandalized in June.

New equipment was delivered and installed on Friday of last week at Totally Kids Learning Center, located on US 158 Bypass.

During the month of June, the Gates County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the owner of the daycare who reported their property had been vandalized on two different occasions.

“The business had a tremendous amount of their playground equipment damaged and even destroyed,” said Gates County Sheriff Ray Campbell.

Campbell added that Deputy B.W. Nale and Deputy R.R. Gray quickly began to investigate the matter and were able to develop several persons of interest. At the conclusion of their investigation, the deputies were able to secure juvenile petitions against the responsible parties.

On Friday, Sheriff Campbell and members of his staff traveled back to the daycare. However, this time instead of coming to investigate a crime, they came with all new playground equipment.

“This donation from the Sheriff’s Office was made possible through donations made over the last several years. We’re so thankful that we were able to give back to our community,” said Campbell. “We thank you all for your constant support of our team and the furtherance of our motto, ‘Service Before Self.’”

La’Shunda Harrison, owner and director of Totally Kids Learning Center, expressed her appreciation to the Sheriff’s Office and others who came to the aid of her small business.

“Christmas came early,” Harrison said. “My heart broke back in June when I saw all the damage to our playground. Now my heart is full of joy because of some amazing people who stepped in to help.”

As part of the criminal investigation, Harrison said she was asked to provide an inventory of the items that were damaged/destroyed by the vandals. Little did she know at that time that those items would be replaced at no cost to her business.

Included in the new items installed on Friday were two playhouses, a jungle gym, a crawling tunnel, a basketball goal, bicycles, little tractors, basketballs, soccer balls, and baseballs and bats.

“To see the smiles of the children on Friday when they saw what was happening warmed my heart,” Harrison said. “The children are happy. I am happy. This meant the world to us. We got everything back that was damaged and more.”

Also included in the new items is a security camera that will soon be installed.