Margaret Wohler, Mallory Sutherland, Eugenie Ballering: we are 3 educators and moms who support RunningBrooke’s work with Alexandria’s kids!
One of RunningBrooke’s key initiatives again this year, is to build another great new playground in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood of Alexandria so kids can play, socialize and exercise with their friends and neighbors.
Problem: More than 1,500 kids live in the Taney Avenue neighborhood and there is no place for them to run around, play and just be kids. Countless studies prove that physical activity builds the architecture of the brain and fuels learning.
Why is this important? 30% of Alexandria, VA’s 3rd graders don’t pass their reading SOL’s – a key litmus test for future success, and 44.5% of our 3 to 5-year olds are obese or overweight. Studies prove that physical activity fuels learning for school success, and gets kids healthier too!
Solution: Building and revitalizing playgrounds, and funding fresh, inventive programs to promote active play, and encourage neighbors to gather and enjoy the outdoors. A total game changer for all!
You are an integral part of this story. Your support can make the playground a reality! We invite you to donate funds to help purchase the necessary building materials including: playground and exercise equipment, landscaping, ADA accessible features and a water fountain. Look out for your invitation to help build this new playground in September 2016.
Let’s get more kids moving, sparking their learning, and strengthening the fabric of a community! Your help is a critical.
What the neighbors are saying about the 2015 Hume Springs playground build:
“It seems like as long as there’s a sliver of sun in the sky, children are enjoying the playground. Even right after the recent blizzard, there were constantly groups of kids in the park, playing in the snow. Neighbors took it upon themselves to dig out a path through the snow in the park before the City reached it so the neighbors could enjoy it. For some families in the neighborhood, the playground is the only real space their kids have to play outside, so it’s always in use.”
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Move. Learn. Become. Building a playground, sparking learning, and changing the fabric of a neighborhood.