Ninja project

FORT RECOVERY — Fort Recovery Community Park may be getting another recreational area soon.

Local residents are leading an effort to construct a ninja park in memory of Sawyer Overman, a child who died three years ago from injuries sustained in an ATV accident.

The fundraising committee has raised nearly $135,000 so far. Two local residents have also donated an acre of land in the village for the park.

Sawyer Overman, 6, died in an accident June 1, 2020.

“Sawyer, he was a very adventurous, outdoorsy, rambunctious little boy,” said mother Lisa Overman. “My kids had (gone) to the ninja park in Celina and, you know, he was very competitive.”

Following his death, Overman told her friends she would like to create a ninja park in Fort Recovery someday in honor of Sawyer.

One year later, on the anniversary of Sawyer’s death, they surprised her with a campaign to raise funds for the project. Friends Megan Wendel and Abby Timmerman first created T-shirts in memory of Sawyer.

“It was a huge surprise, I had no idea all these shirts were made,” Overman said. “I went on Facebook that morning and I was just crying because it was ‘4 Sawyer’ things everywhere.”

Since then, they’ve built a fundraising committee to make her dream of creating a ninja park in Fort Recovery a reality. And the community’s support keeps coming.

“We’re so lucky to be from Fort Recovery,” Timmerman said. “I mean, nobody bats an eye. But it’s not just Fort Recovery. I mean, it’s definitely other communities around us. Everyone comes together for something like this. And it’s showing.”

Fort Recovery and other nearby communities have hosted various fundraisers in honor of Sawyer. Timmerman, Overman and Wendel briefly listed off benefits and other fundraising events during a recent interview.

As a nod to Sawyer’s hunting background, Sunshine Boutique and Be You Boutique sold camouflage items in memory of Sawyer.

Fort Recovery Elementary School’s student council hosted a “Cents for Sawyer” fundraiser last year, bringing in nearly $8,000. The school also started having a dress-up in camouflage day on Sawyer’s birthday, Nov. 4.

“It’s just simple, fun things that they’re just not forgetting,” said Timmerman.

About a year ago, the fundraising committee hosted a wiffle ball benefit over the course of two days at Wendelin Sportsman Club in rural Fort Recovery. Along with a tournament, there was also a raffle, auction, live music, concessions, bounce houses and cosmic bowling. Folks were welcome to camp at the grounds for the festivities.

The group plans to host another weekend benefit this year June 9 and 10. (Those interested can donate by visiting the group’s Facebook page, Sawyer Overman Annual Wiffle Ball Benefit Weekend or via Venmo at @sawyerovermanmemorial.)

Timmerman noted they’re planning to tackle larger-scale fundraising, such as getting more businesses involved, in the future.

Recently, Buzz and Patt Hull donated an acre of land for the ninja park adjacent to the southeast corner of Fort Recovery Community Park.

Now the group is waiting on design plans. A ninja park — they’re hoping to construct one similar to the challenge course at Eastview Park in Celina, but larger — consists of obstacle equipment, sprint lines and a timer. Children can time themselves racing through the course.

Depending on how fundraising goes, Overman said, they may add more equipment to the project or do it in phases.

Although they’re still in the planning process, the group is eager to get the ball rolling.

Overman noted her son’s faith, even at 6 years old. She recalled how her mother died from cancer six months before Sawyer died, and how he viewed her death in a positive light.

“He would always say, ‘She is so lucky. Grandma Pat’s so lucky. She gets to be in heaven with Jesus. I can’t wait until I go there,’” she recalled.

“If he didn’t say all that, I don’t think I would be where I am today, me and my husband both,” she added. “Looking back at it, he was preparing us for that.”