Play is not just fun and games. It’s so much more. Play is powerful—it’s vital to every child’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth and well-being. And while play abilities are different among children, the need for play and the right to that opportunity are not. Every child deserves access to the benefits play provides.

 

Take yourself back to a time when recess was your favorite subject in school and the most important part of your day.  Now imagine it again.  This time, you are that same innocent, fun-loving child, but you have a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to use the slides and swings alongside your friends and classmates.  This is a reality for millions of children, including many here in our own community.  Approximately 400 students attending Big Walnut schools have a type of disability.

 

The Souders Community Playground project was created by the Hylen Souders Elementary PTO with a mission: to partner with community leaders, businesses, residents and you—our families, teachers and staff—to build a physically accommodating, sensory-rich playground that welcomes kids of all abilities to learn and grow together. With your support, we can build an environment that recognizes everyone’s right to fully participate and benefit from the importance of play. Together, we can make a statement: Our community is an inclusive one—everyone belongs.

 

Local businesses, organizations and residents are the most generous donors to our community and schools, and your support in the form of a tax-deductible contribution will help us build both a playground and a legacy of equality and acceptance.  Click HERE to learn more about giving and to donate.  For answers to frequently asked questions about the campaign, fundraising and other topics, check out the  FAQs  section of our website.