Build-A-Bear Workshop® and KaBOOM! Team Up

To celebrate its 10th birthday, Build-A-Bear Workshop partnered with KaBOOM! to create 10 pawsome playspaces for kids across the country in the summer of 2007. Together, we can create healthier, happier kids and stronger, more united communities through the power of play. Playgrounds were built by Build-A-Bear Workshop and KaBOOM! in Columbus, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Houston, Toronto, Boston, Denver, Salt Lake City, Ft. Worth, and St. Louis. Learn more about the partnership and download a coloring page for kids!

Schedule:

June 20, 2007 – Columbus, Ohio
- Read blogs about the build.
- View photos from the build.

June 27, 2007 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (The Design Day is pictured at left).
- Read a blog about the prep day, and a follow-up entry with the kids' reactions.
- View photos from the build.

July 11, 2007 – Seattle, Washington

July 18, 2007 – Houston, Texas
- Read a blog from the kids who are getting the playground.

July 25, 2007 – Toronto, Canada
- Read a blog from the community partner.
- Read a blog about the build day.
- View photos from the build.

August 1, 2007 – Boston, Massachusetts
- View photos from the build.

August 8, 2007 – Denver, Colorado
- View photos from the build
- Read a thank-you card from a community child.

August 15, 2007 – Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read a blog about the prep day.
- Read a blog about the build day.
- View photos from the build.

August 22, 2007 – Dallas, Texas

September 8, 2007 – Saint Louis, Missouri
- Read a blog about the project.

More from the builds:
- View a video blog from Jamba Projects

The Homeless Families Foundation, Columbus, Ohio
Build Day: June 20
The Homeless Families Foundation provides shelter, support, stability and nurturing for homeless children and their families as they prepare to acquire and maintain permanent housing. The shelter's vision is to be a catalyst in breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty by empowering families' independence through resource connections, skill development, permanent housing options and educational opportunities.

Lincoln Elementary Technology Academy, Pittsburgh, Penn.
Build Day: June 27, pictured at right
Lincoln Elementary Technology Academy is a neighborhood school with a technology and pre-engineering emphasis. Lincoln’s goals are to: increase the number of students who pursue engineering and engineering technology programs; provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for all academically qualified students; and provide clear standards and expectations for student success in all subjects.

Low Income Housing Institute, Seattle, WA
Build Day: July 11
Founded in 1991, LIHI has grown to be one of the most productive affordable housing developers in the Northwest. LIHI owns and/or manages over 1,600 housing units at 48 sites in six counties throughout the Puget Sound region. Seventy-five percent of LIHI housing is reserved for households earning less than 30 percent of the area's median household income.

Kingdom Come Community Development Corporation, Houston, TX
Build Day: July 18
Kingdom Come Community Development Corporation’s primary purpose is to implement and projects that alleviate neighborhood neglect, blight, pverty, illiteracy, and unemployment. Kingdome Come CDC serves all members of the community, regardless of race, religion, age or gender. For the past two years, the South Park/Minnetex neighborhood, which is supported by Kingdom Come CDC, has experienced growth in both diversity and population as more families are migrating to the area.

Friends of Bloordale Park, Toronto, ON
Build Day: July 25
The mission of Friends of Bloordale Park to is to create a fun, safe and stimulating walk-to park for children and families in the community to enjoy. The vision of the group is to create a park that motivates the three neighborhoods to become active physically and civically so their children can laugh and play together in a stimulating and safe environment.Along with enhancing the life of the children, the Friends of Bloordale Park hope that a rejuvenated park will bring their community together.

Boys & Girls Club of Brockton, Boston, MA
Build Day: August 1
The Boys & Girls Club of Brockton has a mission “to provide guidance through educational, cultural and recreational programs that promote the healthy behavioral and social growth and development of Brockton area youth, in order that each individual may reach his or her full potential.” The Club offers young people what they need and want most: adults who respect them and listen to them, a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves, and interesting, constructive activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits.

Curtis Park Community Center, Denver, CO
Build Day: August 8
Curtis Park Community Center (CPCC) has been a vital part of the community for over 40 years. Their mission is to provide quality and diverse opportunities, the resources to promote and enhance independence, and to enable self-sufficiency for all people in metropolitan Denver. Children who attend the Early Learning Program come from homeless families or families living in transitional housing. CPCC has spent many years focusing on and equipping children with the necessary educational skills for success.