More than 300 volunteers from KaBoom and Foresters, along with parents, recently built a playground at Imagine Desert West to serve more than 1,000 K-8 students.
Early on a warm Saturday morning in Phoenix, more than 300 parents and volunteers from Foresters, an international finance firm, and KaBoom! gathered at Imagine Desert West. Equipped with an array of tools and lots of enthusiasm, they set out to build a playground for more than 1,000 K-8 students who attend this urban school. In less than eight hours, the volunteers completed the play space, which will serve more than 300,000 children and their families for years to come.
The design for the new playground is based on drawings created by students at Imagine Desert West at a special Design Day event held in August when community members met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Foresters to design their dream playground. The drawings inspired the final playground design.
“A community’s well-being starts with a child’s well-being,” said Anthony M. Garcia, President and CEO, Foresters. “We believe that an investment in a playground is an investment in family well-being, and we are happy to provide the Phoenix community with a place that families can enjoy for years to come.”
For Imagine Schools, this community partnership is one that has a meaningful impact on the lives of the students served at Imagine Desert West. “Imagine Schools is grateful to receive this brand new playspace,” said Jason Bryant, President and CEO of Imagine Schools. “It’s thanks to partners like Foresters and KaBOOM! that we can help children and their families create opportunities to spend quality time together and enhance their well-being.”
Thanks to KaBoom!, Foresters, and the many parents and faculty volunteers who made this playground come to life for our Imagine students.
Imagine Schools is a national non-profit network of pre-K-12 charter schools preparing students for lives of leadership, accomplishment and exemplary character.