Reminder about today’s event with BGE, Monarch Academy, The Children’s Guild and volunteers from the local Baltimore community. More than 200 volunteers will build a playground at the Monarch Academy in one day, a playground designed by the children in the local community.
Currently, the kids at Monarch Academy don’t have access to a playground to stretch their legs and minds outside the classroom. The new playground will bring these more than 1,000 kids in Baltimore one step closer to having the childhood they deserve.
I look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at 717-873-3327. Thank you.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monarch Academy: Bonnie Heneson, 410-206-5710, bonnieh@bonnieheenson.com
BGE: Rachael Lighty, 410-470-7433, Rachael.Lighty@bge.com
KaBOOM!: Bruno Tager, 301-919-4482, btager@kaboom.org
BGE, Monarch Academy, The Children’s Guild and KaBoom! Team Up to Build a Playground in a Day at Monarch Academy in Baltimore City
Designed by the children from the community, the playground will provide a safe place for thousands of children to play in Baltimore City
Photo, video and interview Opportunities Available
WHAT:
More than 200 volunteers from Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) (@MyBGE), Monarch Academy (@MonarchAcadBC), The Children’s Guild (@TheChildrensGuild), organizers from KaBOOM! (@kaboom) and residents of the Baltimore community will join forces on Wednesday, October 29, to give area kids the childhood they deserve by building a new playground at the Monarch Academy in Baltimore City. The design is based on children’s drawings created at a special design event in September.
WHEN:
| 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Times approximate) | Kick-off ceremony
Playground construction Final construction phase Ribbon-cutting ceremony with local elected officials, |
WHERE
Monarch Academy
2525 Kirk Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21218
WHO:
More than 200 BGE, Monarch Academy, The Children’s Guild and community volunteers
Children from Baltimore City who designed the playground and their families
Senator Catherine E. Pugh, 40th District, Baltimore City
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City
Delegate Cheryl Glenn
Baltimore City Council President Jack Young’s Office
Baltimore City Schools Officials
Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles Ford
WHY:
A playground is more than a playground. It’s a brain-expander, friend-maker, and muscle-builder. Play is central to a child’s ability to grow into a productive adult. It can transform children from sedentary, bored and solitary to physically, mentally and socially active. KaBOOM! works to bring balanced and active play into the daily lives of all children, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. We do this by creating great places to play, inspiring communities to promote and support play and driving the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives (#playmatters).
Currently, the kids at Monarch Academy don’t have access to a playground to stretch their legs and minds outside the classroom. The new playground will bring these more than 1,000 kids in Baltimore one step closer to having the childhood they deserve. In addition to a new playground, the kids will continue to enjoy Monarch Academy’s project-based learning curriculum that is designed to serve the whole child.
The playground is the second built by BGE and KaBOOM!. Through this partnership, more children will have the joyful, active childhood they deserve. BGE supports KaBOOM! in promoting and protecting a child’s right to active play at home, at school and in the community.
VISUALS
Before and after shots
Volunteers assembling, carrying, and installing brightly colored playground equipment
Ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the playground