When city budget problems threatened to cancel summer programs in an Albert Lea park, Grace Lutheran Church -- just across the street from the park -- donated $1,800 to keep the programs going.

The money will be used to fund the park leader who works at Hawthorne Park, along with the other program activities there, says the Albert Lea Tribune.

Budget problems, plus low attendance last year at Hawthorne, led to the parks department's initial decision to cancel its playpark program there. Playparks provide adult supervision and child-oriented activities at selected parks in the Albert Lea parks system.

Sue Barber of the Grace Lutheran Church Council said many children who come to the church — both members and nonmembers — use the playpark activities, and it looked like a good place the church could help out so they could still have activities there.

“Our mission statement for our church is bringing people together and being disciples for Christ,” Barber said. “We’re trying very hard to implement that statement.”

City officials happily accepted the donation.

“It was awesome,” said Jennifer Davis, recreation program supervisor. “I didn’t expect it at all. It was very, very generous of them, and they were more than happy to do it.”