Help Honor Hannah

On September 14, 2021 the George W. Julian School #57 community endured a tragedy. While walking home from school, a mother, daughter, and crossing guard were hit by a car. Hannah, who was 7 years old and in 1st grade at George W. Julian, did not survive.  We all feel the loss of her sweet soul.

George W. Julian School #57 is a small neighborhood public school that serves students K-8 in Irvington, on the east side of Indianapolis. A group of students, while processing their trauma and grief, had the idea of giving the school playground a makeover to make it more fun and cheerful in honor of Hannah. Perhaps, with this project, the memory of Hannah can live on in a place where she enjoyed playing with her big sister and fellow students after school. 

At George W. Julian School #57, we have a school quote “Together we grow”.

The school leaders and the PTSA feel this playground makeover project is very meaningful and will benefit all students at George W. Julian School #57. Families and staff have already been researching costs and plan to make this idea happen.

A note from Hannah’s family:

Hi. My name is Cassandra and I am Hannah’s mother. Along with her father Jeremy and big sister Charlotte, we are so grateful for the support and compassion that the wonderful families and staff at George W. Julian have given us. I thought I would share a little bit about who our Hannah was. She was always a kind and caring girl who showed empathy at an early age. She loved to make friends and have playdates. She enjoyed being outside and loved nature and bugs, especially butterflies, cicadas, and praying mantises. She always wanted to stay after school to play on the school playground with other students. She had her own sense of fashion which always included lots of colors and patterns. She was a bold and adventurous girl who loved to try new things.  She enjoyed going to school at George W. Julian, and we think that updating the playground would be a great way to honor her. Thanks for your support!


We Did It!

Hannah’s Memorial playground raised over $200,000.00!

Our team has been able to order the new playground equipment, with installation scheduled in Fall of 2022. Meeting our goal means we are able to install new equipment in both playground spaces. All of the funds raised beyond our original goal will be used for murals, final project details, and wish list items. The fund will continue to accept donations if you would like to contribute to murals and final project details.

You are welcome to use the form below, or you can write a check out to the IPS Foundation. Please put “Hannah Memorial Fund” in the memo line and mail the check to the IPS Foundation at 120 E. Walnut St. Indianapolis, IN 46204.


For more information on the PTSA, please visit their website, and for more updates on the Playground, please follow the social media dedicated to this effort below:

Thank you.