13 days left - Stories of Hope

There are few remaining days before the park build, and there has been many people step forward in wonderful and surprising ways to show their heart and support for the spirit of the project. Here are a few stories we have cherished and we hope to post more:

Recently, a woman who had been a teacher for many years and is now retired stepped forward out of the blue with her financial contribution. She had witnessed over the years benefits children receive when given a safe place to play. She wanted us to know that our work was good and in the right place for building a stronger community foundation. Also, she had been a patient of Greg's for many years and thought if he were still alive he would be very involved in the project. She shared her memories of Greg and then wished us well.

Quite awhile back, when we were going door-to-door for dotmocracy day one of the volunteers encountered a man that was astonished and pleased to be invited an opportunity to be part of a neighborhood grassroots venture. He commented that he had been living in Innisfail for quite some time and had NEVER been invited to share his thoughts about the place he lived in or asked to contribute. He offered his support.

A large service group was meeting after being approached for a donation. While the group went back and forth on their decision and became divided, a small strong voice countered all opinion and struck a chord. She quietly stated that they were a service group, and what more where they there for? Children need a place to play. How could they help?
The cheque to the park committee came in the next day.

These stories are not news headliners but they are examples of how people, when their heart and mind is in the right place, can make a difference.

We have heard people complain, make excuses and criticise. Do these things ever help?

Like Ian Hill said while visiting for Envision Innisfail, "You can't talk community, you have to DO community." He also said, "If we always do what is always done, then we'll always get what we've already got."

What challenging thoughts!!!

How can you make your community thrive?

How can you make your contribution and make a change?

The Final Push

There are 18 days left before build day!!
The park committee is getting excited because we have been anticipating Build Day since Christmas!
Did you sign-up to volunteer? We hope so.
It's going to be a noteable day for everyone who comes to help. Other towns that have done this describe it as AMAZING! Be sure to check out the LTBK website if you want to view other park build days and it will help you to dream a little bit about our big day that will be arriving so soon.

Old Playground Goes Down

I don't know what is harder to believe - that we had this much snow on May 5th, or that we are really going forward with building this new playground!  The crew moved in on Wednesday morning to take out the old playground and begin the landscaping and site preparation necessary for our big build day - JUNE 5th....which is only 31 days away!
Over the next couple of days, more work will be done on the site to get it ready and the local organizing committee is really getting excited about this playground, and we hope you are, too.

Please be sure to sign up as a volunteer (if you have not already done so).  And if you already signed up - have all of your friends, too?  We need many hands to help and many people to celebrate with.

Join the Effort!  Get Involved!

Service Above Self

Today the park committee met for another session. We keep our group together by moving forward with preparation plans and sharing stories of how the people of Innisfail truly shine when given an opportunity to contribute to their home and neighborhoods.

So many families and businesses are stepping forward to contribute and it is a great encouragement. We now have approx. 70 volunteers signed up and $27,000 dollars contributed. The goal of creating an awesome place for families and children to play and create community will be met if people of this town continue to provide with their service above self.

Let's keep it going! We will make a change!

58 Days Away!

We are getting closer and closer to our build day - only 8 weeks to go! We are very excited about this and are encouraged by all the people who have already signed up to be a volunteer.

Have you signed up yet? Remember, you can just click on the link to the left to volunteer, or donate, or learn more about how you can be involved. We are looking for all types of volunteers from food to celebration to construction and so much more.

June 5th is going to be a great day - the culmination of a lot of good, hard work done. And we hope you want to be a part of that, too. Be sure to tell your friends so they can tell their friends, and then they can tell their friends, and, well, you know - that's how it grows!

We have received some great donations, and you can find their links lower down on the page.

We also have some events coming up, so stay tuned for more details.

Be sure to comment on anything on this blog - let us know what you think. And if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask!

Let Them Be Kids - Innisfail

Proposed Playground Layout

Hello! Please take some time to check out the proposed playground layout for the upcoming Greg Ritson-Bennett Park.

Thank you to our sponsors

Spiral Slide Donor - Over $2500.00

The Ritson-Bennett Family - Mike & Maymie O'Dwyer & Family - Nestle Purina

Doglide Slide Donor - $1500 to $2499

Wall Climber Donor - $751 to $1499

William & Norma Hoppins - Rotary Anns of Innisfail - Innisfail Kinette

Rock Challenge Donor - $101 to $750

Gayle & Grant Thompson - Innisfail & District Ministerial Association - Connie Dezutter - Tammy, Gordon, Shea & Sydney Thompson - The Gagnon Family - Carolyn & Tony Kramer - Patt Churchill - Barbara Marrinan - Shawna Travis - Mary Flemming - Shear Shelly - Stu & Grace Little - Ronald Young Gish Professional Corporation - Fox & Hound - Vivienne Campbell - The Leg Man - Donna Arnold - Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete - Sunterra Meats - Innisfail Family Day Home Society

Friends of the Park - up to $100

Innisfail & District Garden Club - Thelma Hein - Barbara Hill - Mr. & Mrs. Fred Peitzsche - Angela Sande and Family - JoAnne Keevill - Katherine & Murray Gall - Rhonda & Ken Oddy - Jean F. Wright - All-Vac Sales, Service & Repair - Anita Layden - Jeremy, Denise & Sophia Bouw - Veronica Reist - Carm Erickson - Donna Niehaus - Baiers Stationery - Margaret & Henry Medak - Heather Fletcher - Betty Olson - Marie Wilson & Marcel Keays - Mrs. Eunice Jensen - Fourman Dairy Distributors (2007) Ltd - Heartland Funeral Services