The Homeless Children's Playtime Project  
August 10, 2011


Greetings Play Superheroes! 

 

Back to School and Fall activities probably feels far away for the children at Playtime each week; they've been busy having fun with great volunteer-led activities every week of the summer. You can read about some of the fun activities they've been up to below and some of the exciting guests that have visited Playtime!

 

Ready or not, Fall is almost here and Playtime has big plans for the season! We're starting off with Back to School Backpacks, like we do every year, and we still need more (see side bar). More announcements will be coming soon (a Playroom Revamp Ribbon Cutting, Halloween costume collections and more), so stay tuned!

 

Fall is also the season for Playtime's major fundraisers! We hope donors, supporters and volunteers get involved in our two very different and fun fundraising events in October. Read all about them below and please mark your calendars. 

 

Enjoy these August days and keep playing! 

 

Jamila and Lana 

A Jumpin' July at Playtime

 

The hot heat did not slow Playtime's kids and volunteers down for a second! Here are some highlights from a jam-packed July: 

 

  • Summer Reading Challenge! Each night at Playtime, children curled up with a volunteer to read and record their progress for their friends to see. Silly prizes, book reports, and an end of summer celebration are just a few ways that the reading love is spreading at Playtime. And the best part is that every book can be taken home to keep! 

    picking out a book

  • Star Athletes! NCFN families got a special visit from Celtics NBA player Jeff Green, who spoke about the importance of school in achieving goals, read "It's Not Easy Being Big" and played a rousing game of "Knock Out" with over 30 children. Professional soccer star Shawn Kuykendall visited DC General for the second time and led a soccer clinic of10 children. One six-year old told us that she had been looking forward to soccer all week!

    Soccer star skill clinic

  • Family Summer BBQ! Park Road volunteers partnered with the shelter staff for a fun evening where families could relax together. Water balloons, a laughter-filled yoga class and outside games made for a very festive community night! 
  • Doggy Playtime! Turning Point kids got to spend an evening with Lincoln the dog, who will be making monthly "pet therapy" visits. Some children were nervous around the friendly dog at first, but warmed up to him after serving him some water and watching their friends pet him. 

    drawing of lincoln the dog

  • Art Galleries! Art Coordinator So Chung has created a beautiful art gallery at Turning Point for kids to display their creations and led some amazing projects at DC General this July. Get ready for more great masterpieces at Playtime's Fall Fundraiser Art Gallery in October! 

tree leaves TP   watercolor TP 


 We're Raising Money for Playtime in October! 

Climb Aboard the Fundraising Train!

 

 Playtime's Annual Fall Fundraiser is on Sunday, October 16 from 3:00-6:00pm

 

 Check out the invitation here, and RSVP (suggested donation $50-$500) to an afternoon of children's artwork, the screening of HCPP's new"Playtime Movie", an exceptional Silent Auction, a Halloween costume collection, and fun activities for children! Mark your calendars and let us know if you'd like invitations to give out. 

 

One week later, we're holding our first-ever Playtime Halloween Party Fundraisers!

 

Volunteers, this is your chance to raise money for your site by spreading the word to friends, co-workers and family members! With a donation of $20-$30 dollars, they will help Playtime reach the ambitious goal of $30,000 and be invited to attend your site's party and meet the kids you rave about every week. If each volunteer recruits three people (or two, plus yourself!), HCPP will receive a $5,000 bonus from Fannie Mae's Help the Homeless Program. 

 

Sounds fun! How Can I Get Involved Now?  

  1. We're seeking corporate sponsors for Playtime's Fall Fundraiser. Do you know any businesses that would like to support our community organization? 
  2. The event committee needs 30 volunteers to work at the Fall Fundraiser event - serving food, collecting costumes, leading children's programs. Free admission and spots will fill up quickly! Sign up here. 
  3. Start recruiting friends for the Playtime Halloween Parties NOW! We've got a lofty goal, and it will take each volunteer's involvement to get there! Links will be on our website next week and look for emails and invitations coming soon.  

Party Dates: Get your costume ready...

NCFN: Monday, October 24 

DC General: Tuesday, October 25 

Park Road: Wednesday, October 26

Turning Point: Thursday, October 27

 

Thanks for your participation and contributions to Playtime's mission - the output for 700 children each year is JOY! 

 

 

Spread the word! Visit:

www.playtimeproject.net

 

HCPP Board of Directors
 
Kirsten Lodal
LIFT 
 
 Patricia Mullahy-Fugere
Washington Legal Clinic
for the Homeless
 
 Robert Edwards
XM Radio: The Bob
Edwards Show
 
David Graling
Gelman Rosenberg
& Freedman

Advisory Board

Regina Kline Co-Founder, HCPP
Attorney

Executive Director


Jamila Larson, LICSW
Co-Founder, HCPP
Give the Gift of Play!
bouncing a ball Donate Here!  

 





Watching Jeff Green

Back-to-School Backpacks: Around the Corner Already!  

 

Starting a new school year can be stressful for all children, especially if they don't have a backpack and fear teasing by peers. Playtime will be giving every child a fully stocked backpack so they can start the year with confidence. If you'd like to donate a backpack to a Playtime child, please email Lana before THIS Friday (8/12). 

  If you'd like to make 8 bags and earn a ticket to VirginMobile Free Fest click here! 

DC Gen pink girl 

 

Volunteer Opportunities for All! 

Next Volunteer Training: 
 
Wednesday, August 24 6:30-9:00pm
1525 Newton St, NW

We are seeking dedicated and creative weekly volunteers to lead play programs Monday - Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30 pm. 

Do you possess those magical skills to connect with teenagers? Dedicated weekly volunteers for our Teen Outreach Program are needed

Group Opportunities! "Adopt a Playroom" to keep it clean and safe for our kids! 

Other ways to help: 
 
We're looking for one or two people to touch up paint at NCFN in the next couple weeks

HCPP's two MSW interns who will be providing referrals for families this fall need computers! Do you have a laptop that works well and has wireless that you'd like to donate? 

Thank you! 
for more information 
 
astronaut doing art

 

Families Deserve Housing · Children Deserve Play

1525 Newton St., NW, Washington, DC 20010 · www.playtimeproject.net ·(202) 329-4481