News

AN INCREDIBLE ‘BUILD DAY’ AT ANNA SAMPLE COMPLEX!

Close to 200 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and built a new playground - in the rain and in six hours - at our Anna M. Sample Complex in Camden, NJ on August 6. We were chosen for this green project by KaBOOM!, the nonprofit organization that has built more than 1,600 playgrounds nationwide; the Home Depot Foundation was KaBOOM!’s partner on ‘Build Day.’

"I can’t believe the number of people here," said Daniel L. Lombardo, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, as things got under way shortly after 8 a.m. "This is a tremendous example of community support. And to have partners like KaBOOM! and Home Depot put this together for us is absolutely fabulous."

"Despite the rain, it’s a beautiful turnout," said our Development Director James Wynn. "It’s amazing to see so many people who are dedicated to volunteering."

The spirit of the day was personified by KaBOOM! Project manager Ariel Fortune, who got things rolling with a cheer.

"What are we here to do today?" she asked the crowd.

"Build a playground!" they answered.

"What are we going to do?"

"Build a playground!"

Keith Gowton, human resource manager of the Home Depot stores in Mount Laurel and Delran NJ, said about 70 employees were on hand for the build. People power on ‘Build Day’ also came courtesy of AmeriCorps; The Work Group; the Harman Group; CPAC; the Camden City Youth Development program; Covenant Fellowship Church; and the Romero Center.

Brian Scott, one of the build captains, works at the Mount Laurel Home Depot store and lives in Maple Shade NJ.

"We’re organized," he said. "It might look like a bunch of scurrying ants, but everybody has something to do."

There was certainly plenty of work – moving mulch to mixing concrete, from assembling and installing playground equipment to painting murals for the 2,500 square feet of space.

Chris Batts, 15, of Moorestown NJ, came to Build Day with his mother, Lisa, who works at the Lawnside NJ Home Depot store.

Many of the volunteers came from our programs, including Amani House in Trenton, NJ. "This is a lot of fun," said John Harrington, one of the six or seven volunteers who came down from Amani.

Shannon Rhodes, Sr., of Camden, was busy helping paint a "peace" panel for the mural. "I have kids and I want to see my kids play (here)," he said.

Mary Jacobs and Charles Peoples, both of Willingboro and both members of Faith Covenant Church, were at work constructing a recycling container.

"This is a wonderful idea, a wonderful thing to do," Mary said. "You’ve got to give back. You just can’t be a taker."

Charles said, "My job is taking care of senior citizens, and I felt that today would be a good day to give back to the kids."

Lan Cain, also with the Work Group, said the transformation of the site was exhilarating.

"Basically, when we came out here on Tuesday, it was an empty lot," he said. "But all these people together, with a plan, are making it a beautiful creation for kids to enjoy."

By 2:30 PM, the work was done. Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison helped sum things up.

"It’s going to be a safe environment, and it’s beautiful," she told the happy crowd. "And you’re beautiful."

Tamika Levels-Hood, program director at Anna Sample, said, "I want to extend another special thank you to all the volunteers that helped to make Build Day such a success.  The kids can't wait to get out there and PLAY!!!  My staff and I are truly grateful for all the hard work that was put into this project. You have brightened the lives of everyone that lives and works at the Anna M. Sample Complex."