FAIRFIELD, Ohio -- When he was too tired to play with his classmates at recess, Walter “Superbubz” Herbert would often relax in the principal's office.
He loved to play outside, but his cancer wouldn’t always let him.
Fairfield Central Elementary Principal Karrie Gallo said she vividly remembers conversations with the little boy. Though he had been battling neuroblastoma for two years, she said the first grader would often talk about things that made him happy, like the playground and swings.
"He told me, he was like, ‘You know, we could really use a swing and a teeter totter,’ and we talked a lot about it,” Gallo said.
Now,nearly two months after Superbubz’s death, the Fairfield community is working to expand his idea into a playground that will be built in his honor.
Gallo said Superbubz’s playground will help ensure his legacy lives on.
"In his limited time he showed us that you just gotta go for it, love life, love your family and things we take granted for every day."
Superbubz picked out a design for the new playground, Gallo said, and the community has plenty of fundraising ideas to raise the $15,000 to bring it to life.
Gallo said students can make donations to participate in events like pajama day, and Fairfield High School students and teachers are making a competition out of No Shave November.
Fairfield High School Principal William Rice said the playground would be a small token of the community’s love for a brave little boy.
“Kids to come for generations will be able to play, and hopefully we can teach them more about Walter and what he gave to us,” Rice said.
You can donate to the playground through the Build it for Bubz Facebook page.
