Tallahassee's Hope Community for homeless families now has an exciting new play space for the community's children. A small army of volunteers completed the project in less than 5 hours on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Big Bend Homeless Coalition Executive Director Sylvia Smith explained the community's children were the project designers.
"It was designed with the kids' input in mind. It's very exciting to see their drawings come to life."
The construction crews were made up of people like Keurig-Dr. Pepper Sales Manager John Kanipe, who was not alone.
"Folks from the Junior League, Publix, Tallahassee Coca-Cola, Habitat for Humanity," he said, ticking off the participants. "We've had a lot of turnout, well over 200 folks to help us today."
Just 5 hours later, the project was finished with guest speakers including Tallahassee Mayor ProTem Curtis Richardson.
"We have to be our brothers' and sisters' keepers," he told the large group of exhausted but happy volunteers. "And this is the way that we do that."
Then came the ceremonial ribbon cutting, officially opening the new safe, fun space for Hope Community's 100 children.
