Conley Elementary School Gets New Playground With Help From Target and KaBoom!
More than 200 volunteers came together to build and give children the power of play.
Everyone who made the new playground a reality takes a moment to celebrate.
[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]C[/dropcap]onley Elementary School was buzzing with excitement recently as 200 volunteers arrived—shovels, hammers and paint in hand—to build a playground.
After two years, the children in the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Conley Elementary School area have a new environment to play.
The entire process began with a [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Kaboom! grant. KaBoom! partnered with Target to make the playground a reality.
Before building the play area, students and parents helped design the new playground. The KaBoom! playground fits the needs of every student. And it provides a safe and inclusive play experience for all.
The campus reached out for volunteers. More than two hundred came together to build the playground in less than six hours. Volunteers consisted of parents, community members, and staff members. Janice Weaver with the Houston Mayor’s Office also came out to volunteer. Weaver lives in the neighborhood. While at the campus, she also made a personal contribution toward another campus project.
District students also came out to help. The Eisenhower High School baseball team and the Carver High School theater students took part. The Man Up Club from Nimitz High School also chipped in.
Target, the corporate sponsor, had the an incredible showing of support. Approximately 125 Target employees came out to build.
Students got more than a new playground. Volunteers also built an outdoor classroom. Other projects included a covered seating area for teachers and extra park benches.
Local news KPRC-Channel 2 took time to film the build-a-thon. The news group featured the event in the 5 p.m. newscast.
The value of the entire project is approximately $85,000.00.
LaDon Hunt Ward is grateful to everyone who made the new playground possible. Ward is principal of the elementary campus.
“The new playground has given our students and the community a renewed sense of pride in our school,” said Ward. “Research shows that play helps make kids healthy and happy. They need creativity, exploration and physical activities to develop. I thank our KaBOOM!® and Target partners for helping give children the gift of play. And I thank all the volunteers for coming out to help create and build a great space for children to play.”
Below are more images of the playground build event. The images will give you a better view into Aldine ISD, Conley Elementary School, our employees, community members and business partners.
[Not a valid template]About the Author: Leticia Fehling
