Anonymous Mississippi Donor Pledges $500,000 to Build Playgrounds for Children in the Gulf Coast
Challenges others to contribute to Operation Playground initiative

In an effort to inspire others to contribute, a Mississippi donor has pledged $500,000 to support Operation Playground: Rebuilding Playgrounds, Restoring Childhoods, a new two-year initiative of the nonprofit organization KaBOOM! to build 100 playgrounds in Gulf Coast communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Thanks to the $500,000 gift, donations to Operation Playground will be matched dollar for dollar, raising up to $1 million for the initiative.  

 

KaBOOM! introduced Operation Playground in December 2005 to address the vital need for safe places to play in the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of the storms.   To date, KaBOOM! has mobilized more than 1,500 volunteers to build playgrounds in Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Kiln, and Pass Christian, and has upcoming projects in New Orleans, Biloxi, Gulfport, Moss Point, and Pascagoula, in addition to ten communities selected for projects during the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in August.  Each playground is designed by the children who will use it and constructed by volunteers from the community. 

 

"The days, weeks and months of recovery following a hurricane can take a severe toll on a community, particularly on the children who live there," said Darell Hammond, CEO and co-founder, KaBOOM!.  "For many, homes and schools have been destroyed and friends have moved away. Finding a suitable place to play amid the debris and clean-up effort can be difficult, if not impossible.  By having children design their dream playgrounds and residents come together to build them, we're creating not just great places for children to play, but a sense of community along the Gulf Coast." 

 

"We are honored to receive this incredibly generous matching grant from a local donor," said Hammond.  "We hope that this will inspire people around the country to take up the challenge and make a donation to Operation Playground.  Together we can help bring laughter and play back to the children of the Gulf Coast!" 

 

For more information or to make a donation to the Operation Playground initiative, click here or call 202-659-0215.