HIGH PLAINS LIBRARY DISTRICT FOUNDATION AWARDED $15,000 LET’S PLAY CONSTRUCTION GRANT FROM DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP AND NATIONAL NON-PROFIT KaBOOM!
GREELEY, CO, August, 2, 2017 – Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) and national non-profit KaBOOM! awarded the High Plains Library District Foundation a $15,000 Let’s Play Community Construction Grant that will be used to build a play space at Riverside Library and Cultural Center (RLCC) in Evans.
The grant is part of Let’s Play, an initiative by DPS to provide kids and families with the tools, places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority. Unstructured, child-directed play has proven to help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually, yet today’s kids have less time and fewer opportunities to play than any previous generation. As a result of Let’s Play grants and projects, more than 6.5 million kids will benefit from new or improved playgrounds around the nation by the end of 2020.
The play space was part of the initial design for the library and cultural center when it was constructed in 2014. However, due to budget restraints, the play space was placed on hold. “We are so thrilled to receive funding to finish this project,” said Rochelle Mitchell-Miller, Foundation Director, “it will be the cherry on top of an amazing community resource.”
RLCC is located in the east Evans neighborhood, an area greatly impacted by the 2013 flood. The site hosts a District 6 bus stop and serves as an after-school gathering place that is easily accessible from the surrounding neighborhoods. The play area, which will feature unique climbing and balancing equipment appropriate for all ages, will provide a much needed recreational space for Evans youth.
Dr Pepper Snapple has committed more than $35.5 million to Let’s Play through 2019, impacting youth-serving organizations across the U.S., as well as Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple partners with two non-profit organizations, KaBOOM! and Good Sports, to build and improve playgrounds in underserved communities and provide grants for sports equipment. In this way, Dr Pepper Snapple is doing our part to help eliminate the play deficit by making active play possible for more kids.
Since its launch in 2011, Let’s Play has provided more than 10 million children with more opportunities to play via safe, accessible playgrounds and sports equipment. Moreover, by 2020 we will have engaged more than 80,000 volunteers from Dr Pepper Snapple, our partners and our communities in this effort.
Visit Let’s Play at www.LetsPlay.com to join the conversation and learn how to apply for the various available grants to make communities more active and playful.
About High Plains Library District Foundation
The High Plains Library Foundation is a 501c3 supporting non-profit of the High Plains Library District. Our mission is to cultivate information, inspiration, and entertainment for our communities by raising funds to sustain and create literacy programs, collection development, technology upgrades, and capital improvements for our libraries. High Plains Library District serves Weld County, the third largest county in Colorado with 277,670 residents spanning 3,987 miles. The District includes seven branch libraries located in Erie, Firestone, Greeley, Evans, and Kersey; Outreach Services including a Bookmobile, Lobby Stop Van, and nine Public Computing Centers; and six autonomous municipal libraries. For more information, please visit mylibrary.us/foundation.
About Let’s Play
Let’s Play is an initiative by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to provide kids and families with the tools, places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority. Through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple partners with two non-profit organizations, KaBOOM! and Good Sports, to build and improve playgrounds in underserved communities and provide grants for sports equipment. In this way, Dr Pepper Snapple is doing our part to help eliminate the play deficit by making active play possible for more kids. Since its launch in 2011, Let’s Play has provided more than 10 million children with more opportunities to play via safe, accessible playgrounds and sports equipment. For more information, please visit LetsPlay.com or Facebook.com/LetsPlay.
About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott’s, Mr & Mrs T mixers