INDIANAPOLIS – On Tuesday, September 27, in just five hours, 175 volunteers from the Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Products, National Starch, Stonegate Mortgage and the Northeast Indianapolis community helped build a playground at Joyce Kilmer School #69. In addition to the playground build and through a partnership with Rebuilding Together, volunteers spent time landscaping, mulching, painting, clearing debris and providing some much needed improvements to the school. These efforts were a part of the Colts 4th annual playground build project.
Tuesday's event kicked off at 8:30 a.m. on the school's grounds. At 2:15 p.m. a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to dedicate the playground and celebrate the efforts of the volunteers. Colts players, Blue and the Colts Cheerleaders were on hand to participate in the ceremony. What began as an empty plot of land was transformed into a 3,000 square foot playground that included planter benches and an outdoor classroom.
Across the street from the playground build, several volunteers spent the day assisting a homeowner whose grandson attended School #69, but passed away in 2001 while playing outside. At the home volunteers renovated the kitchen, landscaped, cleared debris and planted flower beds.
Tuesday's project was a part of the Colts ongoing commitment to give back to the community and encourage kids to be active at least 60 minutes each day through the PLAY 60 campaign. The Colts previous playground builds have taken place at Daniel Webster School #46, Eliza Blaker School #55 and Paramount School of Excellence.
In-kind sponsors for this year's playground build included: Meijer, Penn Station and Republic Services.
