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»LTBK Donkin Project »"I am only one" by Dan Carter »Playground Build Pictures
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The Let Them Be Kids Initiative is a first of its kind. This nation-wide program helps communities build capacity and community involvement amongst citizens, while also building playgrounds in areas of need, laying a strong foundation for a brighter tomorrow for all.
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"I am only one" by Dan Carter (Back to TOP)
If you have been lucky enough to hear Ian Hill speak, you will recall how Ian shares this quote with the audience. "I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something; that which I can do I ought to do, that which I ought to do, I will do."
Donkin in Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia) is a community that has faced much in its history. From the closing of its main employer, the coal mines, and the closing down of most of its fishing industry, this community of 1100 now has an unemployment rate of 30%. Most young people have moved on and many of the community's men have gone to find work in western Canada, leaving their families behind for months on end. This community was definitely in need of something positive. What better place to build a playground? Ian and I headed out to see the transformation; I, with camera in hand, and Ian with his full of life energy and his incredible ability to function without sleep.
At 7:00am Saturday morning, Ian and I had arrived to welcome the volunteers and by 9:00am there were 240 people that had signed in. It was overcast and raining but it was a warm fall day. All day long people kept on bringing food, by the end of the day I believe that we could have fed all 1100 people for a week if we needed too. By 2:00 pm the playground was built and there were 200 men and women standing there looking at the 100 kids that had been waiting so patiently to be let on to their new playground.
We were joined at the ribbon cutting by a local veteran, his chest full of the medals he received in the Second World War. Also in attendance, the local school principle and the local police officer, Gary (who also was the Emcee and disc jockey for the day), Marlene and Doreen and other local officials also joined us. However, before any ribbon would be cut, Ian talked to the children asking them to understand that their community believed in them. He explained to them how they were set for greatness. He asked them to understand that each person in their community loved them and to always remember that! As the ribbon was cut I could see that again Let Them Be Kids had touched the hearts of another community. Men were hugging each other and women were smiling with tears rolling down their faces. You could feel the pride and the togetherness the community was feeling. Once again this experience had changed another community for a lifetime.
As I close, let the world know that there are special people in Donkin, very special people; I always believed that the right actions at the right time, for the right reasons will always have the right results. Thank you to the people of Donkin you are a shining example to all of us of what can happen when a community comes together.
Playground Build Pictures (Back to TOP) (Click thumbnails for enlarged views.)
LTBK Donkin Project Testimonials & Comments (Back to TOP)
Visit the LTBK Donkin online blog to add your testimonials and comments about the LTBK Donkin playground and park project. See what others have to say about this uplifting project.
LTBK Donkin Funding Partners (Back to TOP)
We thank our LTBK Donkin funding partners for their unselfish support of this effort to make our community a better place.
LTBK Donkin Financial Contributors (Back to TOP)
We thank our LTBK Donkin financial contributors for their unselfish support of this effort to make our community a better place.
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Visit the LTBK Donkin Online Blog - add your comments and read what others have to say
