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Ideas for play and playgrounds from around the globe....
posted by jblumstock  on Nov 27 2008
I've found that no matter how breathtaking the scenery, no matter how fabulous the food, what children really enjoy about any vacation are the new playgrounds they get to play in.  This was certainly the case during a recent trip to Budapest.  Happily for us, the city takes playgrounds ve....
Playathon Photo Premier
posted by mathgirl6  on Nov 27 2008
See the fun at our website http://projects.kaboom.org/GardenPlay....
Looking for A Way to Reconnect After Training
posted by Dmarshall08  on Dec 1 2008
Are you looking for ways to continue moving your project along after attending a webinars or WE Play! and starting the planning process? We invite you to join your fellow community builders in registering your project on....

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 Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
 
imgOfflineVirginia Reynolds
26 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 23 Nov 05 5:40 PM
I recently returned from Mississippi, having spent two days touring Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian and Waveland, with Darrell Hammond. My heart and head are still not capable of absorbing the complete destruction of the area. Bridging the Gulf, the organization founded to help the kids of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, partnered with Save the Children and Bright Horizons to set up a Children's Center in the Tent Village of Pass Christian. The Village looks like the military housing in Iraq--windowless, plywood tents covered with camouflage to protect against the weather. In two of these tents there is an amazing group of volunteers and staff taking care of 25 or so children, ages 3 months to four. The children are beautiful, bright and hopeful, and I can't tell you how much it hurts to see them as they persevere on, trying to be happy and play in such dire conditions. These children are the most vulnerable as they are in danger of not only relinquishing their childhoods to Katrina, but will certainly absorb the stress of the situation as well. We are so looking forward to the playground build in Bay St. Louis and welcome everyone from UPlay and the KaBoom family to join us on December 17th!
imgOfflinecyngen
37 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 30 Nov 05 9:42 AM
Hi Ginny!  It's very exciting that your build is coming up so soon.  I'm going to try to make it.
 
What kind of issues are you dealing with now?  Who all is joining in on the build?  What kind of team do you have in Mississippi to help prepare?  Who is doing the prep work on the land?  Is it tough running a build in Miss. when you are in Connecticut?
 
Can't wait to see the pics on this one!
imgOfflineVirginia Reynolds
26 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 30 Nov 05 12:28 PM
Cynthia!

Great to hear from you! We just got off a two hour phone call about the Build with some of the most colorful characters ever assembled for a conference call! We are incredibly excited..The mayor will be cooking jambalaya for the masses, we have a radio station with '"Super Dave" who will be whipping up the crowds, the chidren are writing and will be singing songs on the big day..It is all a bit of a miracle...A month ago, the park was full of debris, old cars swept in by the tidal wave, broken trees..This really is going to be amazing experience and one heck of a Christmas present!

Join us!
Ginny
imgOfflineINSIDE OUT
108 posts
3rd
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 30 Nov 05 8:01 PM
WOW Sure wish I could be there to join you all! I'm there in spirit! What you are doing there in Mississippi is so amazing. You are truly an angel! Best of luck with the build.

Anne
IOP
imgOfflineVirginia Reynolds
26 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 30 Nov 05 9:45 PM
Dear Anne,

Thanks for your kind words but it is really the KaBoomers who are making this miracle happen...You can't imagine what a great gift this park will be as a place of respite from the heartache of the storm...Let me know your address and I will get a Build Day t-shirt over to you so you can wear on the 17th!

All the best,
Ginny
imgOfflineanonymous
0 posts
Joined
1/1/0001
Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 01 Dec 05 8:36 AM
Virginia, I know you'll keep us posted on all of this.  By the way, did you now that Robin Roberts, one of the ABC morning anchors on Good Morning America and an ESPN correspondent grew up in Pass Christian.  Might be an interesting idea for some PR.  After the hurricane, she reported the devastation in her home town and your work in the Gulf area might be of interest to her and Good Morning America.
 
Nan <---- who thinks big :-)
imgOfflineINSIDE OUT
108 posts
3rd
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 03 Dec 05 3:39 PM
Ginny,
 I think that you are doing there is so amazing. And remeber you to are now a KABOOMER. It was your inspiration, enthusiam and wanting to help the children of Mississippi that made this all come about! Here is my address: 93 Main Street The Center Waterville,Maine 04901!
 What a beuatiful success story you have for all the rest of us that this indeed can happen for all of our children.

have a great build!

Anne
IOP
imgOfflinecyngen
37 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 01 Dec 05 12:01 PM
Nan,
Small world!. Ginny grew up playing tennis with Robin.  She's been trying to get through to her, but has been having a hard time getting through the gatekeepers.  Any ideas on getting press coverage would be great. 
imgOfflineVirginia Reynolds
26 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 02 Dec 05 10:09 PM
Dear Cynthia and Nan,

I just got through to Robin's assistant today and she knew about the playground..Hopefully, she will be able to get to the Build! It will be old home week on the 17th if she can make it...I wonder if Robin still has that fabulous old Cadillac she used to drive...We used to have so much fun smacking tennis balls for hours at Old City Hall...I know she will love to be a part of this incredible holiday gift for the kids..

Ginny
imgOfflinecyngen
37 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 05 Dec 05 8:16 AM
That's fantastic news about Robin.  It would be such a story of hope...something we all need more of.  I hope Robin will end up covering it.  Guess the only problem is that hers is a weekday show and the build will be on Saturday.  Maybe they can be there for the preparation, tape the build, and then have you on the show Monday morning to talk about it live.  More people need to be made aware that efforts like this are underway.  And, more people need to know about KaBOOM!
imgOfflineINSIDE OUT
108 posts
3rd
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 05 Dec 05 2:18 PM
Great to hear about Robin. Hoepfully she will come and assist you! That would be too cool. I'm still plugging away here in cold Northern Maine. Thinking of you and you get closer to the build there in Mississippi. Keep us updated and please do post some pics after the build. I finanlly got my UPLAY ones downloaded last evening and will post them tomorrow. I need to get my banking done so I will say goodnight now. Talk soon.

Anne
imgOfflineVirginia Reynolds
26 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 05 Dec 05 5:19 PM
Anne!

Thanks for your kind words...We are really excited..Only twelve days to go! There will certainly be loads of pictures to share..I popped some Mississippi playground shirts in the mail today, so have a lookout for them..

All the best,
Ginny
imgOfflineVirginia Reynolds
26 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 05 Dec 05 5:25 PM
Cynthia,

So true..the real story here is KaBoom...I believe we are getting the word out as friends in Bay St. Louis are doing radio interviews, newspaper stories have been written, Governor Barbour and his wife were issued personal invitations to the build today by my godmother, the ace recruiting committe member..I think the country will know about this amazing organization by the time we move the last bit of mulch...

Ginny
imgOfflinecyngen
37 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 06 Dec 05 7:15 AM
Ginny,
 
What are your chief concerns about pulling off this project?  Anything not yet done or things that you're not certain of how to pull off?  There's a lot of experience around here and we'd love to help!  :-)  You must be wildly excited about now.  When are you heading down to Mississippi?  
 
cyn
imgOfflinecyngen
37 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 07 Dec 05 6:28 PM
Now that it really looks like I'll be able to come to the build I'm so excited I'm jumping for joy.  Sure a new playground won't cure all the ills for the community ravaged by hurricanes, but, my goodness, what it WILL do!  Much, much more than anyone ever imagined.  I can't wait to get on the road....one week and one day!  
 
See y'all next Friday night!
imgOfflineVirginia Reynolds
26 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 07 Dec 05 7:15 PM
You know...I think if we could somehow find a way to pepper the Gulf Coast states with playgrounds, the smiles would return to the children and the adults...With hope and joy, problems no longer seem so difficult..Isn't it fantastic that the kids are leading the recovery in Bay St. Louis!

And as for you Cynthia, you win the grand prize! Two nights in a FEMA trailer!...Don't we know how to pour on the Southern Hospitality! I really can't wait to see you there and to meet your son who is choosing to spend his birthday moving mulch!

Ginny
imgOfflineINSIDE OUT
108 posts
3rd
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 08 Dec 05 5:13 AM
Cythinia and Ginny,
 Sure wish that I could be there will all of you at this amazing build time for the children in Mississippi. Would love to be there racing away to get all that mulch in place! I will be there is spirit and wish you all the best of luck on your build! As we say in the theatre world...Break a leg! Not literally of course! I know that all will go well and than all those children's hearts will be lifted knowing that so many people care so much about their lives! Take care. I will wear your shirt in pride on the day of your build and send those postive vibes your way!

Anne
imgOfflinecyngen
37 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 12 Dec 05 5:03 PM
Just a few more days!  Spoke to Ginny tonight and she's heading to Mississippi tomorrow.  There is always so much last minute stuff to do.  I'll go into New Orleans Friday afternoon, pick up my son, and then head to our luxurious accomodations in the FEMA mansion.  We get the bunk beds! 
 
I'll take a bunch of pictures and then try and figure out how to post them when I get back home.   Wish you all could be there, too!
imgOfflineINSIDE OUT
108 posts
3rd
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 13 Dec 05 3:11 PM
Yes me too sure wish that I could be with all of you folks there to assist inthe building of such an amazing project. I will be thinking of you all that day and will send my spirit out. I will also wear the sirty with pride. Still have not received it yet so I'm hoping that I have it to wear on Saturday that would be truly wonderful! Best of luck and again what you are doing there is truly remarkaable.

Anne
IOP
imgOfflineINSIDE OUT
108 posts
3rd
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Mississippi Gulf Coast Playgrounds
Posted: 17 Dec 05 8:40 AM
Hello all in Mississippi!!!
I know that you are all been up very early and are well underway to beginning the playground build. The chill is in the air here and Maine, and as I sit here and write these words all I can think about is how I could be with you all on this day to help in the building on your playground. Words can't describe what this will do for all those children that have lost so much. I am with you and spirit and may the joy of the holiday season bring all the love, joy and happiness that this playground will deliver to the children of Mississippi.

Much love to all! And happy mulching. OPPS Engineered wood fiber moving!


Anne
IOP
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