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Help us build a Playground!

A new playground is coming to town and we need YOU to make it happen. The project is in partnership with The CarMax Foundation and KaBOOM!, the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids the childhood they deserve, filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. On August 10, 2017 volunteers from Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC), Central Community House (CCH), Carmax, and community members like you will build a great new place for kids to play in less than 8 hours! The project is in partnership with KaBOOM!, the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids the childhood they deserve, filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. This playground will be used by CELC students and school-aged children in CCH’s youth and family programming.

This project is made possible through the generous support and partnership of The CarMax Foundation.
We are also hoping to raise $15,000 from our community supporters by July 27th to make our dream playground a reality this August! Your donation will ensure that this playground will be a fun and safe space for our children to play for years to come!




Why Do We Need a New Playground?
Because kids love to play! And playing is an important part of a child’s development. Playing at school in a closed, secure, and supervised location, allows large motor skill development, which is crucial at a young age.

The outside space is also important for children like Naomi, a 4 year old that attends the early learning program. She is typically very shy and withdrawn in her classroom, but when she is outside, she is free! Something about being outside opens her up to running and playing and talking with other kids. She will also repeat and respond to her teachers in the outdoor space. Being outside lets her play with other children, and socialize.

Like Naomi’s family, many of the families that receive services from CELC and CCH are classified as working poor. As a result, very few of our families live in a home with adequate yard space or nearby green spaces where it is safe for kids to play. Playing at school is really the only opportunity for children to gain valuable time outdoors.  

How Can You Help?
Donate today and help provide a safe and fun space for the children in our community!  Your donation will go directly towards making healthy, active play available to hundreds of children for years to come.

We will also have over 200 volunteers from around the city of Columbus helping us on build day Join in the fun by emailing Jessie at [email redacted] to make sure we have a hard hat for you!

Who Are CELC and CCH?
Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC) has been providing high-quality early learning and care to the children of Columbus, Ohio for more than 130 years. 75% of CELC families live at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, which is a little less than $49,000 in income a year for a family of four. Access to high-quality early childhood education is one of the factors that can exponentially improve a child’s chances of succeeding in school, which, ultimately, translates to success in life.

Central Community House (CCH) serves over 4,000 individuals in Central Columbus each year through programs for basic/emergency needs, early education, youth/teen development, family strengthening, seniors, workforce development, community organizing and neighborhood development. This new playground will provide crucial outdoor playspace for the 100+ children who participate in CCH’s youth and family programming throughout the year.

CELC and CCH share a building and the outdoor playspace at 1150 East Main St.
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Donations 

  • Kelly Ball
    • $50 
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer

Gina Ginn
Organizer
Columbus, OH

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