Playdate for Playgrounds

This press release made me so happy!

Thank you Jump Gym and your partners for helping out schools like my own kids school!!!

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With steep budget cuts diminishing educational and recreational programs for Vancouver’s kids, three Vancouver based entrepreneurs have partnered up to raise much needed funds for Champlain Heights Elementary School to help them buy a new playground.

The entrepreneurs are planning Playdate for Playgrounds, a fun, family friendly event for kids under 8 years old that combines sport, a creative art workshop, and a mini photographic portrait session.

The fundraising event is a collaboration between Jump Gymnastics, Klik Photographic and Collage Collage, local businesses that deal directly with kids everyday.

Says Jen Hood owner of Jump Gymnastics,” It is critical that young children are given opportunities to learn fundamental movement skills. Weekly classes and programs promoting physical literacy are only part of the solution; children must also have access to parks and playgrounds where they can practice movement skills and link them together in play. In partnership with developmentally sound sporting activities, unstructured, outside, free play is an essential part of developing healthy children and ensuring that they grow up to be active adults”.

For a minimum donation of $50 per child parents will get a modern mini portrait session of their little one, by acclaimed photographer Kyrani Kanavaros of Klik Photographic. Before and after their photo session, kids will enjoy drop in gym time at Jump Gymnastics and an inspiring art workshop with Collage Collage.

Champlain Heights Elementary is on a steady climb to reach their fundraising goal of $80,000 to complete the new playground. Says Deanna Loster spokesperson for CPAC, “Champlain Heights Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) has been raising funds to replace our existing playground with equipment that meets CSA guidelines at a projected cost of $80,000.00. Our school places an emphasis on social responsibility making the generosity of these local businesses all the more welcome.”

Playdate for Playgrounds is hoping to bring in enough money to help CPAC complete Phase 1 of the playground, and any corporate sponsorship to match proceeds raised from the event, would be a great help in reaching the goal.

The event happens Sunday August 22nd , 2010 from 2pm till 7pm at Jump Gymnastics, 101, 837 Beatty St, and is expected to sell out.

For information on how to register go to www.jumpgymnastics.ca/schedule.php

Jump! Gymnastics offers children from six months to eight years old the opportunity to explore movement through activities that enhance balance, strength, flexibility, coordination and agility. www.jumpgymnastics.ca

Collage Collage is a place that strives to uphold the tremendous creative abilities that children have, in surroundings that adults find equally stimulating, provoking and above all, inspiring workshops and classes. www.collagecollage.ca

Klik Photographic is a Vancouver-based lifestyle and documentary photographer specializing in children’s and family portraiture. Using available light only, Kyrani Kanavaros excels at capturing her clients at their most natural to create beautiful, modern, documentary-style images that speak and inspire. www.klikphotographic.com