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St. Tammany Parish:
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Kids Konnection |
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by Kelly Rasmus
Kids Konnection, a committee of the Tammany Trace Foundation, is a committed group of parents and professionals who believe that play is the foundation of learning for ALL children. It is through play that children develop their first social bonds, learn to accept diversity and build relationships. Playing together, children grow to understand that we are all more alike than different and that we all have more abilities than disabilities.
Kids Konnection was established as a non-profit organization in June 2004. Its goal is to contract with Boundless Playgrounds® in an effort to design and construct a truly accessible playground for the children and families of St. Tammany Parish. The playground will be built at the St. Tammany Trailhead on Koop Drive in Mandeville.
A Boundless Playground® provides for 70 percent accessibility and a variety of playstations to build cognitive, social, motor and sensory skills. Playstations include opportunities for sand and water play, music, climbing, balancing, swinging and imaginary play. Boundless Playgrounds® also incorporate landscaping that stimulates the senses through texture, sight and smell. Most importantly, a Boundless Playground® will address heightened safety concerns related to individuals with special needs.
Dr. Douglas Moodie, Chairman of Ochsner for Children, says, “Five million children have some kind of disability which limits their ability to enjoy activity. The Boundless Playground® is a great advance for all of the children in St. Tammany.”
Through generous community support, Kids Konnection has received more than $100,000 toward a goal of $350,000, including a $50,000 donation from Ochsner for Children. Tax deductible contributions payable to the Tammany Trace Foundation with Kids Konnection noted in the memo line may be sent to Kids Konnection; P.O. Box 1881; Mandeville, LA 70470.
For more information, call 626-KIDZ, or visit www.kidz.la and www.boundlessplaygrounds.org.
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Copyright 2006, M&L Publishing, all rights reserved. |
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