Local Companies Supporting Dublin's Miracle Playground
With spring just around the corner, the minds of many children are turning to thoughts of sunny days on the playground.
A group of Dublin residents, businesses and City staff members are working to make sure every child has the chance to make those thoughts a reality, regardless of their physical abilities, by raising funds to build Dublin’s Miracle Playground.
In addition to accepting donations from businesses, individuals and organizations, the group has several upcoming fundraising events planned.
- February 21 - Community Giving Day at Whole Foods: The Miracle Playground will receive 5 percent of the proceeds of every sale at the store at 3670 W. Dublin-Granville Road.
“Whole Foods is excited to be a part of and an active contributor to the Dublin community. This donation distinctly expresses Whole Foods Market's interest in nurturing the communities in which we do business and creating a better quality of life for everyone,” said Angel Gravitt, Whole Foods Marketing Specialist/Community Liaison. “The Dublin Miracle Playground's mission states they are ‘committed to building community partnerships...to building their souls, expanding their minds, thrilling their senses and improving their lives.’ That is not at all unlike the core values of Whole Foods Market. Our organizations are just a natural and perfect fit.”
Members of the Miracle Field fund development team will be on hand at the store that day with information about the playground.
- February - Through the entire month of February, UNO’s Pizza on Tuttle Crossing Boulevard will donate 20 percent of proceeds from sales when customers present the restaurant with a voucher from the Miracle Field fund development team. The vouchers are available at Emerald Bank, 6215 Perimeter Drive; the Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road; Dublin Municipal Building, 5200 Emerald Parkway; and by clicking here.
A playground site plan has been developed. The next step in the process is to procure community support in the form of monetary and in-kind donations. To date, the fund development team has raised about $54,000 through donations, grants, golf outings, silent auctions and other activities. The goal is to collect at least $60,000 more to begin the first phase of the playground.
The universally accessible playground, to be built adjacent to the Miracle League Field in Darree Fields in Dublin, will be designed specifically for children with mobility challenges and other special needs, removing any barriers so all children can play together. The playground will be enjoyable to all children, promoting social interaction between children with special needs and typically developing children.
The project already has a full head of steam. The City of Dublin has designed the playground and contributed $100,000, and by early May other donations of more than $50,000 had been made to the project by local businesses and service organizations.
In 2005, the City of Dublin, Duke Realty, local residents and other area businesses joined together to raise money for and construct a Miracle League Baseball Field in Darree Fields in Dublin. The Miracle League Field benefits mentally and physically challenged children between ages 3 and 19 around Central Ohio, giving them an opportunity to play baseball - just like typically developing children. The playground will be built adjacent to the baseball field.
In addition to fulfilling the dreams of all children who want to enjoy a playground with their individual needs in mind, sponsors at certain funding levels will receive packages designed to provide recognition and visibility for their generous support.
Monetary and in-kind donations are still needed to help make these play areas a reality.
Tax-deductible donations can be made out to “Dublin’s Miracle Playground.”
Mail to:
Emerald Bank
c/o Michael Hufford, Senior Vice President
Emerald Bank
6215 Perimeter Drive
Dublin, Ohio 43017