Anniversary Week Day 4: Biloxi, Slidell and Bay St. Louis

• Miramar Park in Biloxi, MS
• Hancock Medical Center in Bay St. Louis, MS
• Carolyn Park Middle School, Slidell, MS

202-528-7724, mfontanez@kaboom.org                     

Washington, D.C., August 11, 2006 –On the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, The Home Depot^®, KaBOOM!, Playworld Systems and Hands On Network will mobilize thousands of volunteers in seven Gulf Coast communities to build 10 new playspaces in just four days.

In June, local children met with organizers from KaBOOM!, The Home Depot, Playworld Systems and Hands On Network to draw their “dream” playgrounds and share their ideas for the new playspace; the children’s drawings were used to create the final playground designs.  In addition to a new play structure, projects also include a number of other enhancements, such as picnic tables, benches, shade structures and landscaping.  Planning committees made up of local residents have met weekly with representatives from all four organizations to plan these enhancements as well as volunteer recruitment, site preparation and children’s activities for Build Day.

“Renewing hope for children is as important as rebuilding homes and businesses in Gulf Coast communities. These new playspaces are just one way The Home Depot is helping to restore communities following the devastation brought by Katrina,” said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president & CEO of The Home Depot.

The 10 anniversary week sites are Nelson UNO Charter School (New Orleans), Second Street Elementary School (Bay St. Louis), Carolyn Park Middle School (Slidell), John Henry Beck Park (Biloxi), Pass Christian High School (Pass Christian), Owen T. Palmer Park (Gulfport), Carol Vegas Park (Bay St. Louis), Central Elementary School (Pascagoula), Miramar Park (Biloxi) and Hancock Medical Center (Bay St. Louis).

The projects are part of Operation Playground, a two-year initiative of KaBOOM! to build 100 playgrounds in Gulf Coast communities affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  By the end of this year, KaBOOM! will have mobilized more than 5,000 volunteers to build 30 playgrounds in the Gulf Coast through Operation Playground.

“We want this ‘week of play’ to show the Gulf Coast children and communities that we have not forgotten.  At the same time, we need to remind the rest of the country that there is still a lot of work to do in the areas that were affected by the storms.  There are still so many Gulf Coast children who have no safe place to play, no place to just be kids.  Given everything they’ve gone through this last year, we owe them that,” said Darell Hammond, CEO and co-founder, KaBOOM!.  “KaBOOM! is committed to bringing play back to the Gulf Coast, one playground at a time, and we're thrilled to have dedicated partners like The Home Depot, Playworld Systems and Hands On Network by our side.”

The Home Depot is investing more than $75 million to support the ongoing rebuilding efforts throughout the Gulf region. Combining capital construction with philanthropic support, the investment is creating jobs, driving economic activity and supporting local community efforts to rebuild homes and offer hope for the future. Through the Rebuilding Hope and Homes program, The Home Depot, The Home Depot Foundation and its suppliers have committed more than $11.5 million in cash and materials to all phases of the relief, response and rebuilding efforts.

KaBOOM! and Playworld Systems have been partners since 2000.  As part of the Gulf initiative, Playworld Systems is donating all the playground and LifeTrail equipment for each of the 10 builds and working with The Home Depot, KaBOOM! and Hands On Network to build the structures.

“Recreation is a vital element to people of all ages, and we are dedicated to helping those affected by this disaster restore some sort of normalcy to their lives and their communities,” said Matt Miller, president of Playworld Systems. “We have been down to several of the build sites and have witnessed the devastation firsthand. These communities need all the help they can get, and Playworld is proud to be part of this effort.”

Hands On Network is a network of 58 nonprofit organizations around the world that inspire volunteers, create leaders, and change lives and communities through effective volunteer action.  Immediately after the storms, Hands On Network established Hands On Action Centers in New Orleans and Biloxi to help with disaster recovery, and are now helping organize long-term rebuilding efforts in the areas.

More information on the anniversary week projects and Operation Playground is available at www.kaboom.org. 

About KaBOOM!
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2006, KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America.  Over the past decade, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct nearly 1,000 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America.  KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including a Web portal and online community, regional and national trainings, grants and publications for communities that wish to plan a new playspace on their own.  Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago, Atlanta and San Mateo, Calif.   For more information, visit www.kaboom.org or call (202) 659-0215.

About The Home Depot

The Home Depot® is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,081 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. Through its HD Supply^SM businesses, The Home Depot is also one of the largest diversified wholesale distributors in the United States, with more than 900 locations in the United States and Canada offering products and services for building, improving and maintaining homes, businesses and municipal infrastructures. In fiscal 2005, The Home Depot had sales of $81.5 billion and earnings of $5.8 billion. The Company employs approximately 355,000 associates and has been recognized by FORTUNE magazine as the No. 1 Most Admired Specialty Retailer and the No. 13 Most Admired Corporation in America for 2006. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index. 

About Playworld Systems

Headquartered in Lewisburg, Pa., Playworld Systems is the commercial leader in customized recreation equipment expertly designed to provide fun and challenging activities that increase mental and physical wellness. With more than 30 years of experience, the family-owned company offers a variety of recreational solutions that develop physical strength, balance and aerobic activity, as well as enhancing social skills. Through its five brands - Playworld, PlayDesigns, Woodward Ramps and Rails, LifeTrail and Climbing Boulders - Playworld Systems is recognized by its customers as a one-stop shop that offers the most innovative, creative and imaginative recreational products in the world. More information on Playworld is available at playworldsystems.com.

About Hands On Network

Hands On Network is leading a national civic movement bringing people together to tackle tough community problems. The Hands On movement is led by a network of 58 local nonprofit organizations that act as civic action centers. The Hands On approach inspires volunteers, creates leaders, and changes lives and communities through effective volunteer action.  For more information about Hands On Network, please visit www.HandsOnNetwork.org or call (404) 979-2900.

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ODESSA, Aug. 11 -- The pieces were assembled, the mulch was hauled methodically to its destination, concrete was mixed and poured -- and within hours Thursday, a new playground was built at Catharine Park outside Odessa.

MOSS POINT -- Physical education teacher Kevin Fant yelled over a herd of second-graders as they raced to the playground Monday at East Park Elementary School.

"Take care of the new playground and take care of each other," he yelled.