At 5-8, 187 pounds Chiefs WR Dante Hall is the closest thing the NFL has to a child-sized athlete. Maybe that’s the reason that the always effervescent Hall has made it a mission of sorts to help children, especially those calling the inner-city home. That point was never more evident than this Tuesday as Hall was front-and-center while his X-Factor Foundation was flanked by representatives from both Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and KaBOOM!. The daunting mission was simple, construct a new playground at Kansas City, Kansas’ Heathwood Park in one short day.

With help from nearly 250 volunteers, the group quickly converged with that main goal in mind. The best part is that the playground is just the first of some exciting renovations that have been planned as part of a revitalization project for this park.

“I just love being a part of this whole process” said Hall. “It’s so great to see the looks on the kids faces when the playground is finished. Although, to be honest, I think I enjoy it more than they do.”

This sort of project is hardly new to one of the NFL’s most deadly return men of all time. Last year, Hall’s X-Factor Foundation, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and KaBOOM! spearheaded a similar build at Missouri’s Blue Valley Park. That project, much like the current one, gave those children a new safe place to play and served as the crowning jewel of that park’s renaissance.

Dante’ Hall’s X-Factor Foundation seeks to provide opportunities for single mothers and their children to reach their full potential. The goal is to help these women succeed as both parents and as productive members of their communities. In addition, they are focused on the redevelopment of urban areas, with a special emphasis on providing quality housing and recreational areas for single mothers and their families.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a not-for-profit Fortune 500 financial services organization, helps 2.8 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and needy individuals. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.

KaBOOM! is a non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since its launch in 1996, KaBOOM! has led over 865 community-built playgrounds and inspired thousands more.

-THE CHIEFS WAY-