KaBOOM! and The CarMax Foundation Bring Play to Baltimore Youth with Play More B'More Program
More than 225 volunteers to participate in first Play More B'More build of the year at Glenmount Elementary/Middle School
More than 225 volunteers to participate in first Play More B'More build of the year at Glenmount Elementary/Middle School
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit dedicated to giving kids the childhood they deserve filled with play, kicks off the second year of its Play More B'More program with a playground build at Glenmount Elementary/Middle School, thanks to the generous support of The CarMax Foundation. The build will be the first of several planned in Baltimore this year that bring together community organizations, volunteers, youth interns, city agencies, and such business leaders as The CarMax Foundation.
Play is essential to the health and well-being of kids. Play More B'More is a citywide, cross-sector effort to put kids first by creating opportunities for Baltimore kids in underserved neighborhoods to play, while engaging youth from these neighborhoods as a critical part of the solution.
"The CarMax Foundation is a wonderful champion for healthier and happier kids and stronger communities in Baltimore and beyond," said James Siegal, CEO of KaBOOM!. "KaBOOM! is proud to have CarMax join our systemic efforts to bring play to kids in Baltimore through Play More B'More, which can serve as a great example for other cities to follow."
The Play More B'More playground builds are part of a $5 million partnership with The CarMax Foundation to build 33 playgrounds and donate 46 signature play products, Imagination Playgrounds and Rigamajig, with KaBOOM! across the United States by the end of 2018, providing more than 300,000 kids the joyful childhood they deserve.
"CarMax is committed to making a difference in the Baltimore community and supporting countless families by helping get kids moving and playing," said Craig Cronheim, president of The CarMax Foundation. "We are excited to work with KaBOOM! and local organizations to have a sustained impact in Baltimore."
To follow along with the Glenmount Elementary/Middle School build or get updates on the Play More B'More initiative visit kaboom.org, and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.
About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters and why cities are embracing #playability: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.
The CarMax Foundation
The CarMax Foundation is designed to enrich the communities where our associates live and work and has donated more than $30 million since 2003. Funding programs are made available through a portion of CarMax, Inc.'s pre-tax profits. CarMax, a member of the FORTUNE 500 and the S&P 500, and on the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for 12 consecutive years, is the nation's largest retailer of used vehicles. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, CarMax currently operates 160 superstores in 79 markets. The CarMax consumer offer features low, no-haggle prices, a broad selection of CarMax Quality Certified used vehicles, and superior customer service. During the 12 months ending February 29, 2016, the company retailed 619,936 used cars and sold 394,437 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com. For more information about The CarMax Foundation, visit foundation.carmax.com.
About Play More B'More
Play More B'More is a KaBOOM! initiative in partnership with Annie E. Casey Foundation that mobilizes multi-sector partnerships to put kids first, giving underserved youth an opportunity to lead the creation of kid-friendly communities. The initiative is designed to leverage KaBOOM! community-built playground projects to catalyze the creation of a purpose-driven career development program for Baltimore youth, in partnership with Baltimore Corps and Family League of Baltimore. The ultimate goal for Play More B'More is to spur widespread systems change that puts kids and youth first in many contexts, whether it is city planning, education, transportation, or infrastructure. By encouraging cities to put kids' needs at the forefront of municipal agendas, quality of life in cities across the U.S. will drastically improve. To date, the program has paved the path to work and education opportunities for more than 60 youth interns, provided 8,680 more kids with play and activated 1,376 volunteers in building a better Baltimore.
CONTACT:
Mfa, Ltd., (212) 561-1691
Joseph Giumarra, [email protected]
Kirsten Anderson, [email protected]
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160607/376750LOGO
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160607/376749LOGO
SOURCE KaBOOM!
Share this article