CCF and National Partners Sponsor New Playground Project in Waterbury

**To apply, complete and submit the brief application with pictures via email to Sarah Pinsky at KaBOOM! by Friday, February 3, 2012.*

WATERBURY, CT – January 18, 2012 – CCF and the American Heart Association* will partner with KaBOOM! to build a new playground in Waterbury beginning this spring.

KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicated to saving play for America's children. Their mission is to create great playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities.

KaBOOM! is currently working to identify a Waterbury nonprofit that serves children who will benefit from and embrace the process of a community built playspace partnership.

Interested Waterbury organizations are invited to apply at this time.

To be considered, complete and submit an application with pictures via email to Sarah Rose Pinsky  by Friday, February 3, 2012. The selection process, which will be led entirely by KaBOOM!, is a competitive one, so do not delay.

An organization must meet the following criteria to qualify:
 

  • Serve a low-income/high need community
  • Have no playground or need to replace an existing playground
  • Provide $8500 towards the cost of equipment. KaBOOM! offers online webinars to assist with fundraising ideas.
  • Provide at least 2500 sq. feet in available land and complete any needed site preparation, i.e. restroom facilities, and a dumpster.
  • Recruit 70-90 volunteers for Build Day and recruit parents who are excited about serving on planning committees for an 8-10 week period leading up to Build Day.
  • Accept ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the playspace upon completion.
  • Participate in service learning activities about healthy lifestyles and activites.
  • Assist with program evaluation upon completion of the project.
     

In return, your organization will:

  • Receive a new custom designed playground that will encourage children and families to have fun and be active.
  • Bring community members together as they work toward this common goal.
  • Participate in a planning process that will teach you about fundraising, community building, media relations, etc. that can be used during future community projects.
     

The approximate 8-10 week planning process kicks off with a Design Day where children literally design their dream playgrounds, and culminates on Build Day where volunteers build the new playground.

KaBOOM!’s website has videos with more information about the organization as well as showing a time-lapse construction to see how a playground is built in a day.

For further information, contact Sarah Rose Pinsky, director, client services, KaBOOM!, 202-498-5488.

About the Margaret M. Hallden Fund
In 1984, the Connecticut Community Foundation received a bequest from Margaret M. Hallden, wife of Karl W. Hallden who founded the Hallden Machine Co. in Thomaston. In her will, Mrs. Hallden requested that the local chapters of the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society be considered for funding from the income of the Hallden Fund. As of 2010, Margaret Hallden has given more than $3.3 million to support heart and cancer care in Greater Waterbury.

About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in North America. KaBOOM! brings together parents, community leaders and corporate partners to facilitate the planning and design of new community playspaces. At KaBOOM!, the goal is to not only build a new playspace but use the project to strengthen existing support networks and build new community relationships.