Let Them Be Kids

Let Them Be Kids is an all volunteer non-profit organization created to build community capacity on the grassroots level, while building playgrounds, skate parks and fitness parks across Canada. These projects leave a legacy of community members who are inspired and better equipped to lay a strong foundation for a brighter tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The comittee saying thank you

June 26th BUILD DAY!






We have dedicated our playground to Mr. Hank Planger. Hank is a war hero who fought in the Devils Bergade an elite fighting force.

June 25th the day before build day!

The day before build day.

The mural just keeps getting bigger and bigger!


Cheri Chanin is our mural artist and she is the best. The mural didn't get finished on build day because Cheri kept adding to the design and making it amazing. The mural crew will finish it tomorrow. Cheri even let the children be involved and let them paint.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Build Day Schedule

For those of you that have Joined the Effort, you will receive a waiver in your email. If you would like to receive a waiver before Build Day, please click on Join the Effort to the right of this blog and register. We can also complete waivers during registration on Saturday.

8:00 am: Registration opens.

8:00 am – 9:00 am: Coffee and muffins available for volunteers

9:00 am: Live web broadcast begins! Tell your friends and relatives who can’t be with us to tune in and watch the day progress (www.ltbk.ca)

11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Lunch will be served to volunteers on a rotating basis in the school mall. We will serve hamburgers, beans, veggies, fruit and squares, coffee, water and juice.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Children’s and non-volunteer lunch available ($1.00 for a hotdog and juice)

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Children’s activities!! Crafts, games, storytelling. We will also have a DJ playing music at this time.

3:00 pm (approximately): The playground will be completed!! We will gather everyone for a group photo on the new play structure.

3:30pm: Opening ceremony and dedication of the playground.

4:00 pm: Children start playing on the new equipment!! Clean up begins for adults!

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Volunteer appreciation “Come & Go” at the Legion (upstairs), all volunteers invited!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Tool List for Build Day!

· Push brooms(4)

· 100 ft garden hose to stay in garden

· 4’ torpedo levels (4)

· 4’ levels (4)

· 8-10’ ladders (4)

· wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels (10 of each)

· tape measures (6-8)

· Allen key sets (2)

· Drill bits 21/64” & 5/32” (6 of each)

· Cordless drills and impact guns

If you can bring any of these tools to build day, let Chelan know at 403-627-2869 or email tony_che@telusplanet.net.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Getting Ready!




It's really happening! So many have generously given of in-kind support to get this playground ready to be built on Saturday.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Mexican Fiesta Raises an Astonishing $35,000!!!!


Some predicted we would raise $10,000, and some even thought $15,000 (because that's what we needed). The final number has blown us away......$35,000! This means that we can begin plans for phase 2 (hint* an outdoor classroom? any suggestions?).

Deconstruction of the old playground

More Birthday Giving...


It seems that every birthday party lately has our kids sacrificing birthday gifts to make money for the playground. Shown in photo: Sofia Citrigno, Mya Citrigno, Megan Sundberg, Olivia Citrigno, & Alexandre Comeau, missing is Corbin Litchfield. We are proud of you!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Mexican Fiesta a Hit!


Jeny Akitt from the Twin Butte General Store and the Mexican cuisine we enjoyed at the Fiesta Saturday night. A HUGE thank you to Jeny and her staff for their generous donation. Jeny closed her store to serve us and then showed us her support by donating the meal and participating in the auction! Stay tuned for the profit- results are being tallied...

Friday, June 4, 2010

$26,000 STILL NEED FOR OUR PLAYGROUND AND WE ONLY HAVE 22 DAYS LEFT!

Wow! What a three months it has been. We have set a LTBK record by raising the most amount of money in 90 days. We knew the community of Pincher Creek would stand behind us but the response has been overwhelming. We still need $8,000 more for the playground equipment. The higher grade gravel for the playground is $17,000 but Hulburt's Rock Products is going to donate $7,000 of the cost! A huge thank you for their generosity... And, signage for the playground is about $8,000. If you are able to donate, please do so soon. Please drop a cheque off at St.Michael's school or send to address on left side of web page. THANK YOU! We will reach our goal but it will take all of us.
PS. Sign up for build day too. It will be a day you will want to be a part of!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

BUILD DAY IS IN 30 DAYS AND HERE IS A LIST OF WHAT WE NEED

130 more volunteers! Become a volunteer by clicking on the "JOIN THE EFFORT" button on the right of the screen.

Volunteers for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before build day to prep the site. We need eight volunteers at a time between the hours of 8am to 6pm. Must be able to lift 100 pounds.

More money! $10,000 more for playground equipment and $10,000 for the higher grade gravel we will be using as the surface. A significant portion of the cost and delivery of this product has been donated by Hurlburt Rock Products in Fort MacLeod.

Rocks about the size of 4L ice cream pails-we need 35. Drop off the rocks in front of St.Michaels school. Call the office at 627-3488.

We need 20 wheelbarrows, 5 ladders, 10 rakes and 10 shovels for build day. We also need quite a few cordless drills and impact guns. If you can bring any of these tools for build day plesae let Chelan know at 627-2869,

More silent and live auction items for Mexican fiesta! Call Lori Jo at 627-5978 for more info.

We still need gently used books and stuffed animals for the children's activities on build day. Contact Brandi at 627-2218.

Wild bushes that we could use for landscaping please call Ianthe at 627-3488.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Legion Generates Funds in Honor of Henry "Hank" Planger

The Legion presented funds totalling $11,476.18! Shown from left to right is Hank Planger, Ed Rouleau, Colette Sinnott (with Lincoln & Emerson) and Ron Schmidt. The Legion proposed a challenge to all Legion members to donate and the Legion would match up to $5000. The response was amazing. They also donated proceeds of the meat draw held on April 24th. It was a fun filled afternoon at the Legion where many people came to support Mr. Henry "Hank" Planger. Mr. Planger fought in the Second World War and was part of The Devil's Brigade. We are so proud to name our playground in honor of him. This is a great opportunity for adults and children alike to learn more about the history of war for our country. We must never forget that it is because of men and women like Mr. Planger that we enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Happy Birthday!


These kids asked their friends to bring money for the playground in lieu of birthday gifts this year. Mathias Gelber, Denby Ettenhofer and Ronan Gelber show their money to the camera! Between the 3 of them, they raised almost $800!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

The Pincher Creek Fire Brigade Association makes a $2500 donation!

Local fire fighters and ambulance crew pose with students and parents from the community playground committee. The children were given a tour of the fire hall and all left wanting to be firemen. Thank you so much for your donation!

Monday, April 19, 2010

The Lions Club of Pincher Creek sends playground two Hurricanes!


The Lions Club of Pincher Creek presented us with a cheque for $5000! They chose to purchase the rock climbing components (about $3000 our share) and the remainder of the money will be part of the general funds for the rest of the playground. The club will place a plaque that indicates they purchased the rock climbing components and this will be a permanent part of the playground. What a great idea and such a generous donation! shown in picture (left to right): Terri Robbins, Dennis Novak, Colette Sinnott and Jim Johnson.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The Playground Design! "Junior Area"


This playground design targets children under grade 3. Looks like it will be fun for everyone! We have lots of work to do to raise enough money to get all the components we want to make our playground extra great! Check out the "Dish Swings". These were so high on our list (children and adults alike) that we put them in both play areas. Wow!

The Playground Design! "Senior Area"


After much consideration and back and forth with the good people at Bel Air, we have a playground design that is fun, exciting and suits our play needs. This is a view of the "senior" play area targeting grades 3 and up.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The children discussing the new playground plans...


The kids loved looking at the new plans. Their excitement and enthusiasm reminded us all of why we are building the new playground. It was great to sit back and watch them plan what they would play on first. Thank you so much to the Knights of Columbus and all of your support.

The Knights of Columbus fish fry for the new playground

What a delicious supper!

300 come out for movie night


Movie night was a big success and an awesome contribution to our fundraising. The St. Michael's school gym was full of excited community members, especially the kids! The master design of the two playgrounds was unveiled and the crowd's applause told us we had got the designs right. A big thank you to Tony Citrigno of Antonio's Pizza for donating the 50 pizzas we sold. The tally at the end of the night was 1776 dollars!

Monday, March 22, 2010

The Roaring Lions- Our First Hurricane Level Sponsor!


The Pincher Cowley Roaring Lions responded with enthusiasm to the presentation of our project at their meeting March 11th. They gave us a cheque for $2500! The members of their group are very supportive of our endeavour and left us feeling encouraged. What a great start! Pat Bratz, president of the Roaring Lions, presented the cheque to Colette Sinnott and Terri Robbins on March 12th.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Fish Fry for the Playground

The Knights of Columbus are having a Fish Fry and donating 100% of the proceeds to our new community playground!
When: March 26th from 5:30pm-7:00pm
Where: St. Michael's School
Cost: $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12
Please come out and join us. A Huge Thank you to the Knights of Columbus, we really appreciate the support!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Ian Hill visits Pincher Creek

Ian Hill is the President of the Board of Directors and Volunteer CEO for Let Them Be Kids. After meeting him only by phone, he came to see us on March 3rd. Ian looked at our current playground and helped us think about the possible layout of our new playgroud. Our core planning group finds him inspirational. His words help us put into perspective that we aren't just building a playground but we are bring together a community.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Dotmocracy- letting the children of Pincher Creek choose


Dotmocracy- each child gets to vote for what they want the new playground to look like! During the week of February 22-26th each child was given three stickers and they chose what they wanted most or liked best. The equipment with the most votes will be included in the new playground layout. The children had so much fun and really took time to think about their choices. Each student from preschool to grade 12 at St. Michael's had the opportunity to cast their votes. We also put up posters and sent out flyers inviting all of the children of Pincher Creek to come out and participate. The results have been summarized and sent off for the designer to begin working on a build design. Watch for it to be posted on the website soon!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Announcement St. Michael's Parish


The response from our parish community was overwhelming! After we shared the big news, we received a round of applause. There was a Pancake Breakfast following mass and we raised almost $700!

Friday, February 5, 2010

THE STUDENTS ARE AWAITING THE BIG NEWS!

We are getting....


St. Michael's Awarded

St. Michael's School in Pincher Creek has been awarded a LTBK Helping Hands award to assist in the building of a new community playground at the school. This award will match dollar for dollar the funds we raise for our playground equipment. What an opportunity, 50 cents becomes 1 dollar, 1 becomes 2 and $1000 will turn into $2000! It is a great honor to receive a National Award, stay tuned for more exciting details!

THE SECOND AND FINAL PHASE OF THE HENRY "HANK" PLANGER COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND!

On June 18th we will once again join together as a community to build an outdoor fitness park and a play area designed for kids with special needs- this will include a rubber surfacing for wheelchair accessibility and activity panels that are helpful for kids with sensory needs. We are also assembling some sun shelter and hoping for wind protection. To complete our playground we will have a cement path around the perimeter of our entire playground. We will once again need all individuals to come together to make this a huge success! Click on Join the Effort today!

100 Volunteers (grown ups only) will be needed to assemble the new equipment, do a little painting and a little weeding and serve the food! After the new additions to our playground are assembled join us for a Community Festival from 2-4. Stay tuned for details on the festival activities. Fun to be had by all- BIG & small!