Kiwanis Club of Liberty County’s plans for a special needs accessible playground at a Hinesville park got another shot in the arm — thanks to handcuffs.

The club raised more than $19,500 in its recent Jail and Bail program, and club president Robert Kitchings said 50% of the money raised must go toward special needs playground equipment. The club is partnering with the city for an inclusive playground at Irene B. Thomas Park.

“It’s for the kids in our community and a greatly underserved population in our city,” said Kitchings, who also is the Hinesville fire chief. “This is not a Kiwanis project solely. It truly takes a village. We’re doing a good thing for our city and I could not be more proud.”

Derek Rozier, the Liberty Regional Medical Center chief executive officer, raised nearly $6,500 to be the top bail candidate.

Since the inception of its effort, the club has raised more than $70,000 for the project, Kitchings added.

The club also is asking the city to help with its

Every Story Matters project, which includes the installation of a free lending library.

Though a free lending library exists on the grounds of the historic courthouse, adjacent to Bradwell Park, Kitchings said the club wants to put one on the park grounds. The material in that library, he said, will differ from the existing free library.

“The difference is these books will be directed toward children with special needs and siblings of children with special needs,” he said. “Everyone wants to see themselves reflected in the books they read. It’s not too often where you get a book with a princess in a wheelchair. We’re not trying to replace any library in the area.”.

The initiative, Chief Kitchings said, was the brainchild of the club’s public relations director, his wife Tina.

“It’s very near and dear to her heart,” he said.

The club will take responsibility for the installation, stocking and maintenance. The proposed library will be a small, weather-resistant structure. Chief Kitchings said the club wants to take guidance from the Downtown Development Authority on the library’s placement and it will show the city what it has in mind for the library before installing it.