Derrick Johnson Helps Children Design Their Dream Playground

Jul 23, 2008, 5:09:07 AM

As one of this summer’s hottest movie flicks might lead you to believe, being Batman is any child’s true fantasy. However, the Chiefs are challenging that conventional wisdom. After all, who can argue that Wednesday’s event wasn’t a dream come true for any of the kids present? Could anyone honestly tell you that these children weren’t flat out giddy at the chance to design and build a playground right in their own neighborhood with the help of a local gridiron guru?

Instead of a black cape, the children from Operation Breakthrough joined together with an averagely clad member of the Kansas City Chiefs, LB Derrick Johnson. “DJ,” as his teammates call him, teamed with former Chiefs G Will Shields, along with his friends at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Operation Breakthrough, and KaBOOM! to bring this dream to life for these kids.

The main item on the docket today included Johnson meeting with 40 local kids at Operation Breakthrough as they discussed the features they wanted in their new playground. Scheduled to be constructed later this fall at the center, the kids spent time drawing pictures and sharing what elements they thought were important to include in their future playground.

“Swings!” one little girl shouted. “A Swirly Slide!” screamed another. The children came to agree on certain things and debated over others. Even though the inclusion of an elevator and hot tub wasn’t in the budget, everyone knew that this experience would be one they would never forget.

“I just love being a part of this whole process” said Johnson. “It’s great for the kids to take ownership in the playground by participating in the design process.” In his efforts to promote urban reconstruction for youths, Johnson has partnered with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and KaBOOM! for a third consecutive year on this project. It will conclude with a one-day playground build, giving these children a new safe place to play. While this is the third playground that Johnson and his partners will construct, it will mark the Chiefs fifth forte in such a project with Thrivent and KaBOOM!.

Johnson’s King of the Field Foundation was founded to provide opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential. This project will enable Derrick to aid in the redevelopment of an urban area, allowing youth a safe and healthy option to exercise.

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. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and needy individuals.

In it’s 12th year, KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Over the past decade, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct nearly 1,400 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including a web portal and online community, regional and national trainings, grants and publications for communities that wish to plan a new playspace on their own.

Operation Breakthrough is a not-for-profit corporation that began in 1971 as a response to requests from parents and citizens in the central city for quality child care for children of the working poor. The mission of Operation Breakthrough is to help children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving and educational environment. Former Chiefs G Will Shields, through his Will to Succeed Foundation, has been a long-time proponent of this center.

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