On October 4th, volunteers from Lowe’s and Points of Light Foundation donated their time as part of the rehab to outdoor recreation on Sweetser’s Saco Campus. Volunteers spent the morning dismantling existing playgrounds, which will be replaced with safe, durable equipment for kids on the campus to use. Landscaping was also refreshed with new mulch and fall plantings.
Justin Chenette, Sweetser’s Senior Director of PR and Advancement, addressed volunteers, outlining the impact of the Lowe’s grant. “We are so incredibly proud to be one of only 100 projects nationally selected by Lowe’s to receive a hometown community impact grant and the only project awarded in Maine. This demonstrates your commitment to the behavioral health needs of Maine’s next generation. Your efforts are literally rebuilding and revitalizing community spaces across the country. Here in Maine, you will be doing something truly transformational.”
As part of the project, Sweetser’s existing tennis court will be reimagined into a modern, multi-purpose play court with basketball hoops and painted play features for games like pickleball, kickball, and 4-square. Some of that work has already begun.
“Creating this new play space and multipurpose court for children’s outdoor games provides opportunities for peer-to-peer interaction so kids can learn how to interact with each other,” said Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer. “It also provides children with a space to work on their gross motor skills. This play space will help children reduce anxiety and stress along with teaching important physical, mental, and emotional skills like cooperation, patience, and balance. In essence, outdoor play is good for children’s physical health, development, and mental wellbeing. It’s fun too!”
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Tyler LaPlante, Lowe’s Store Manager in Portland commented on the importance of community and uniting in support of Sweetser. “We’re only as strong as the communities that we have around us and today is a pretty awesome thing to see,” he said.
The rehab was made possible by a $145,000 award from Lowe’s Hometowns—the company’s impact program, which is committed to rebuilding and revitalizing community spaces nationwide. Sweetser is one of only 100 projects nationally selected by Lowe’s to receive a grant and the only project awarded in Maine.