For more than ten years, families come together with Foresters
Financial to focus on giving kids the play they need
CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Chandler community was revitalized today thanks to a new playground
built at Gazelle Meadows Park. In less than eight hours, more than 200
volunteers from Foresters Financial™, the City of Chandler and
non-profit KaBOOM! created the new playspace, which will serve nearly
3,000 children and their families in the local community for years to
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come.
“We believe in enriching lives and building strong communities – that’s
our purpose,” said Chris Stranahan, International Fraternal President,
Foresters Financial. “Playgrounds are important because they provide a
public space where children can play safely, families can spend quality
time and the community can come together. An investment in a playground
is an investment in community, and we are happy to provide the Chandler
community with a place that families can enjoy for years to come.”
The design for the new playground is based on drawings created by
neighborhood children at a special Design Day event held in August when
community members met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Foresters
Financial to design their dream playground. The drawings inspired the
final playground design.
Foresters Financial, an international financial services provider, helps
families reach their financial goals, protect themselves and make a
lasting difference in their communities. Since 2006, Foresters has
invested more than $13 million with KaBOOM! to build more than 140
playgrounds across the US and Canada by the end of 2017. Over their
15-year lifespan, these playgrounds will help to strengthen the
community and provide more than 5 million children and their families
with an opportunity to spend quality time together.
“Play is one of the primary ways kids come to understand the world
around them. It allows them to release energy, push boundaries and
connect with others,” said Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. “Our City
continues to invest in our wonderful public parks, playgrounds and
affordable recreational facilities as they bring communities together
and enrich lives. Not only has this commitment helped us retain the
prominent Playful City USA designation, but most
importantly, it helps Chandler remain a family-friendly community that
offers our residents numerous opportunities to play, live, learn and
thrive.”
Green spaces and safe play structures where children and families can
enjoy and spend time together are sparse in many high density
communities. Playing outdoors is an important part of every child’s
healthy development and the creation of this new playground will allow
thousands of children to play safely and be active in their community.
Foresters Financial is a KaBOOM! Founding Partner and National Partner.
Since 1996, KaBOOM! has been dedicated to ensuring that all kids get the
balance and active play they need to thrive.
About Chandler Parks & Recreation
In Chandler, we are
focused on providing parks and recreational opportunities and programs
that make Chandler a premiere community in which to Discover, Image,
and Grow. Parks play a critical role in Chandler’s quality of
life – promoting an active lifestyle and community wellness. With this
in mind, it is the City’s goal to provide at least one neighborhood park
per square mile of residential development making play easily accessible
for the entire community.
This strong focus on the overall wellbeing of our residents coupled with
Chandler’s 30-year dedication to developing a comprehensive parks and
recreation program has earned the City a variety of awards including:
Playful City USA (2007- 2016); 2016 East Valley Tribune Reader’s Choice
Best Place to Exercise for Tumbleweed Recreation Center; 2015 Featured
Facility Award for the Chandler Tennis Center from the U.S. Tennis
Association; 2009 Best Playground in the Valley for Playtopia from the
Phoenix New Times; Arizona Republic’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Award –
Runner up for Best Kids Water Park or Pool for the Hamilton Aquatic
Center; and 2008 Best Skateboard Park for the Chandler Skate Park at
Snedigar Sports Complex from the Phoenix New Times.
To get your play on: visit chandleraz.gov/recreation
or join the conversation at facbook.com/ChandlerRecreation,
About Foresters Financial
Foresters Financial™ is an
international financial services provider with more than three million
clients and members in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom,
and total funds under management of $44 billion.1 With a
history of more than 140 years, we provide life insurance, savings,
retirement and investment solutions that help families achieve their
financial goals, protect their families and improve their communities.
For more information, visit foresters.com.
Foresters Financial and Foresters are trade names and trademarks of The
Independent Order of Foresters (a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don
Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9) and its subsidiaries.
Products offered vary by country. Not all products are available for
distribution in all jurisdictions. In the United States, products are
offered by The Independent Order of Foresters and its subsidiaries,
including Foresters Financial Services, Inc. a registered broker-dealer.
Securities, life insurance and annuity products are offered through
Foresters Financial Services, Inc. or independent producers. Insurance
products are issued by Foresters Life Insurance and Annuity Company, New
York, or The Independent Order of Foresters. Investment advisory
products and services are offered through Foresters Advisory Services,
LLC, a registered investment adviser.
1 in Canadian dollars as of December 31, 2016
KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to
bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids,
particularly those growing up in poverty in America. Since 1996, KaBOOM!
has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,700
playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.5
million children. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires
communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national
discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy lives and
communities. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org
or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom
414828J US (11/17)
Contacts
Foresters Financial
Greg Hubert, 416-429-3000 Ext 4044
or
Chandler
Parks & Recreation
Tiffanie Hawkins, 480-862-3852
or
KaBOOM!
Caroline
Finnell, 202-464-6164