Make a Play day in the park - Aug 18, 2013

NEW YORK - Aug. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- It was a cool summer August morning in Washington Park, Albany, New York.  As the Make A Play staff began to prep stations for Make A Play Day in the Park, everyone hoped the chance of rain would subside and allow the children to come out and play. And they sure did!

As client participants and vendors arrived to set-up, MAP staff decorated the park with touches of Make A Play banners and balloons. Kids and parents started trickling in to register and get their MAP branded t-shirts and passports. Each child had the chance to participate in alternating activities such as basketball, soccer, tennis, zumba, and even chess.  Make A Play members and volunteers from 15 Love, Albany High School Boys and Girls Soccer Team, and Make the Right Move facilitated each station.  Teaching each child the skills and fundamentals of each activity, the activities lasted 30-40 minutes long was able to participate in at least two rotations. One could genuinely sense the lightness in the air, from all the laughter and cheer the children spread across the park.

While the kids enjoyed their favorite activity, the parents were able to peruse through the park and find booths branded by NY’s 529 College Savings Program, Literacy New York Greater Capital Region, Albany Public Library, the YMCA, Albany Police Department, Blue Shield Healthy Zone Cruiser, Mission Accomplished Transition Services, 4th Family, American Cancer Society Hope Club On the Go, Ronald McDonald House Care Mobile, Albany County Home Finders and Adoption, Cabot Creamery - Growing Health and Wellness Kits, Silver Leaf Resorts Inc., and the Albany Mayoral candidates Kathy Sheehan and Corey Ellis.  Micheles’s Charcoal Pit Food Truck parked grass-side near the courts and offered delicious lunch plates for everyone to devour.

After a couple rounds of sports and education throughout the park, and fueling up from Michele's Charcoal Pit, it was time for the shoot-around contest. Every single child was giddy to participate, in hopes they would sink a shot and win a prize. Children ranging from 5 to 18 all supported each other. It was a truly uplifting experience.

The afternoon started to set in as families began to wind down and collect their children. Make A Play co-founder Sean ended the night with raffle giveaways, and one lucky winner went home with a brand new 32" flat screen TV. Pretty sweet way to end the day!

All in all, it was a joyous and successful event and we want to thank all our sponsors and partners involved who allowed us to make this happen! And to all the Make A Play families and friends- your never ending support keeps up believing, and pushes us to do more for our communities. Thank you all.

Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters: SLAM Magazine, Chobani, Strive Thru Sports, Fresh Direct, New Era, Hotel BPM, Mayor Jerry Jennings, Albany County Sheriff, SUNY Albany School of Social Welfare,15Love, Dunk360, HINT Water, The Right Move, Trinity Alliance, Freihofer’s, Home Depot, Target, Trader Joe’s, Athlete’s Ground, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, 4Family: It Takes A Community, NBT Bank, New York Credit Union Foundation, Shop Rite, Hannaford, Price Chopper, Fresh Market, Albany Recycles, and St. Peter’s Dental Center.

For photos of Make A Play Day in the Park event, please visit: www.facebook.com/makeaplay