When the Clark Creek Elementary School in Plainfield, Indiana asked the Rotary Club for assistance with a building project for the Imagination Lab, Warden Donnie Emerson of the Heritage Trail Correctional Facility (HTCF) and President of the local Plainfield Rotary Club saw an opportunity where the men could assist in providing a community service. The Imagination Lab was a perfect project for HTCF's American Legion Post #198 and Building Trades. When approached with the idea, the veterans and building trades class was very excited about the opportunity to provide a community service, especially one that benefits children. The task was to complete a project that showed the history of innovation, transportation and technological advances in the local area over the years. The inmates decided to construct a train car to symbolize the period of early transportation that was pivotal to the history of Plainfield.
The Plainfield Rotary Club also donated a beautifully crafted bell to be mounted on the train. The Imagination Lab will utilize the bell to ring in the opening and closing of each Odyssey class. On August 30, 2018, HTCF Executive staff attended an open house at the Imagination Lab where members of the community attended and toured the lab. The Clark Creek Elementary staff along with School Board Representatives were very appreciative and excited about the project.
HTCF looks forward to future opportunities to give back to the community.
