KABOOM! Home Depot

Children’s physical activity overall has decreased significantly over the years, resulting in more obese children. A new Harris Interactive survey of pediatricians is confirmation that we definitely need more playgrounds for children, with plenty of age-appropriate activities available to help increase physical activity and decrease growing obesity issues.

Of the pediatricians surveyed, 99 percent are of the belief that this rate of obesity has increased within their own patient population, with 89 percent of them of the opinion that this can be curbed by means of unstructured play.

Also, 75 percent of the pediatricians feel there has been a decline in unstructured play and activity with 50 percent noting that it could be because there are not quality playgrounds available within walking distance of homes.

“Over the next thousand­­ days, the know-how and sweat equity of thousands of The Home Depot associates will help make communities across North America better equipped to improve the lives of children,” says Bob Nardelli, chairman, president, and CEO of The Home Depot. “Our partnership with Kaboom! will have an incredible impact on our communities.”

The Home Depot is renowned for its strong belief in encouraging volunteer efforts of its employees to help strengthen communities. It has now teamed up with Kaboom! to even further this effort by building or renovating 1,000 play spaces within 1,000 days, and they have already got a good start on this project. Photos included in this article are a good representation of what has already taken place and the great things to come with this partnership.

“The Home Depot has been a tremendous ally in supporting and advancing our vision and mission at Kaboom!” says Darrell Hammond, CEO of Kaboom!. This is definitely a project that will make great strides in creating or enhancing play spaces across the country, bringing communities together as well as being a great benefit to children who are able to use the playgrounds and increase their physical activity.

The Home Depot is actually a founding partner of KaBoom!, a nonprofit organization, and these two organizations have worked together since 1996 in building efforts of over 275 playgrounds and five playing fields. So it’s no surprise that the organizations have teamed up with the 1,000 Play Spaces in 1,000 Days for nonprofit organizations. There is actually a kit available through this program for your build, and you can find out how to get your play space on the list at www.kaboom.org or log on to www.homedepot.com for more information as well.