Irish Channel Neighborhood Association

The KaBoom! planning meeting brought together not only the kids but the adults as well. We met with our KaBoom! team and several members of the local Marriott hotels who are providing not only financial help but so much more. 

 Joe Blanchek, General Manager of the Convention Center Marriott explained that this was going to be the team’s second playground build- they felt so good after the first one that they couldn’t wait to dive into another! Post-Katrina the hotels nationwide took up collections to help their New Orleans co-workers, and after Mr. Marriott matched the funds they had enough money to assist every employee with much leftover. 

These playgrounds are where much of the surplus is being invested.

And it doesn’t stop at the playground- they are very generously providing all food and beverages, volunteers, entertainment, medical assistance and more- well above and beyond the call of duty.

We truly appreciate all their help and look forward to working with them!  

The planning meeting with KaBoom! on Thursday afternoon was a blast- pun intended!

Lots of kids came out to see what this playground project would mean to them. They got very involved, taking over the measuring of the field:

Then it was time to head inside and get down to the serious business of the day.

Everyone gathered while Whitney, our KaBoom! project manager explained how it all worked, making sure the kids knew just how important they were in the process.

Then they went to work, each child imagining and drawing their ideal playground.

The plans were then shown off to the group before the kids went off to play and adults got down to details.