Did you know that only 1-in-5 children live within walking distance of a park or playground?
As many of you know I’m a Play Ambassador for Let’s Play and I frequently write articles and play ideas for their site. I also am an advocate of taking the Let’s Play Pledge to show your commitment to keep play alive. Available now at Facebook.com/LetsPlay.
The Pledge encourages families to commit to spending more time being active…and PLAYING! (It only takes a moment, costs nothing and is a cause all parents can support!).
Atlanta Get Involved
On Wednesday, August 29th, join more than 200 volunteers from DeKalb Academy of Technology and Environment Elementary and Middle Charter Schools, local community members and Dr Pepper Snapple Group as we build a new playground at DeKalb Academy of Technology and Environment School.
If you are looking for something to do this weekend I suggest volunteering to help with the new playground that was designed based on drawings created by children who participated in a Design Day event in June. This playground and will provide hundreds of children in the Stone Mountain community with a safe place to play. You can help make their dreams a reality by joining at:
WHAT: More than 200 volunteers from Dr Pepper Snapple Group, QuikTrip and DeKalb Academy of Technology and Environment (D.A.T.E.) Elementary and Middle Charter Schools, organizers from KaBOOM! and residents of the Stone Mountain community will join forces on Wednesday, Aug. 29 to build a new playground at the school. The new playground’s design is based on drawings created by children who participated in a Design Day event in June.
WHY: The project is part of Let’s Play, a community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to get kids and families active nationwide. The first Let’s Play initiative is a $15 million, three-year commitment to KaBOOM! to build or fix up 2,000 playgrounds by the end of 2013, benefiting an estimated five million children across North America. Via Let’s Play grants and projects in 2011, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! built or improved 528 playgrounds, benefitting an estimated 1.3 million children during the lifetime of the playgrounds. Dr Pepper Snapple Group is also a member of the leadership circle within the KaBOOM! National Partner Program.
Currently, D.A.T.E. Elementary and Middle Charter Schools do not have any playground equipment for the 650-plus K-8 students who attend the schools.
Today’s kids spend less time playing outside than any previous generation in part because only 1-in-5 children live within walking distance of a park or playground. This play deficit is having profound consequences for kids physically, socially and cognitively. Children need a place to play every day in order to be active and healthy, something KaBOOM! has been committed to since 1996.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 29
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Kick off ceremony and volunteer deployment
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Best viewing of playground construction
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Final construction phase and adjustments
2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate new play area
(Note: all times approximate)
WHERE: DeKalb Academy of Technology and Environment Elementary and Middle Charter Schools, 1492 Kelton Dr. Stone Mountain, GA 30083
WHO: State Senate Democratic Leader Steve Henson;
DeKalb County School Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Atkinson;
State Representative Rahn Mayo;
State Representative Karla Drenner;
State Representative Billy Mitchell;
DeKalb County School Board Representative Dr. Pamela Speaks;
Hundreds of volunteers from the community
VISUALS: Before and after shots of the site
Volunteers assembling brightly colored playground equipment
Volunteers moving 42,120 square feet of safety surfacing by hand
Ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the playground
Currently, D.A.T.E. Elementary and Middle Charter Schools do not have any playground equipment for the 650-plus K-8 students who attend the schools.
