Project Successfully Completed...

LTBK Project - School Makeover

St. Charles Garnier Catholic School

April 28th, 2007

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A special thank you to each of the volunteers that made this incredible event possible.

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.

"What a difference a day makes"

At the beginning of October I received a phone call from Andrew Crawley, one of the owners of Belair Recreation, he told me of a school in what he referred to as "the Jane and Finch community" of Toronto, he told me of a school where 59 languages were represented in the student body, he spoke of a new principal and he told me of the lack of "play" opportunities for the kids of the school...that there was no playground equipment and nothing in the way of other play opportunities, "pretty much just grass and some pavement" he said.

The United Nations has declared that every child has the right to play; we all know intuitively that play is critical to the development of a child...health, wellness, confidence, social skills and so on. Now studies are proving out what we all already knew, play is important! We had no choice but to help this school, the kids and the surrounding community...And so it all began.

A few short months later and through the efforts of over 500 volunteers...what began as an effort to build a tot lot became a whole school makeover including: 2 new playgrounds, 40 computers, a new garden, rooms and portables painted, triple shoot hoops, 13,000 books, shelves for the books, a new stage drape, $12,000 to the school and new soccer uniforms and all in a few months and the work all in one day.