From the heart

What did you do this weekend?
In Lindenwood, more than 200 big-hearted and handy people came out to help build children’s futures - and a brand new play space - from the ground up.
Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, volunteers packed the grounds of The HeartShare First Step Early Childhood Center, located at 82-12 151st Avenue, set to dig, hammer and get dirty for a good cause.
The concerted effort was a result of months of planning - and a partnership between KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, and Washington Mutual (WaMu) Bank.
The two institutions have joined forces in the past to build seven other play spaces.
This time around, WaMu donated $65,000 - and over 100 employee volunteers - while HeartShare gave $7,500.
“We recognize that play is important for children’s social, emotional and physical development,” said Tiffany Carney of KaBOOM!
It is especially important for the children enrolled at the HeartShare School, as about 60 percent have disabilities.
“The ability for these kids to work on their gross motor skills is priceless,” said Carol Verdi, Vice President of Educational Services for HeartShare. “This shows people’s commitment to children and play. For these people to give up their Saturday is wonderful.”
The new play space has components that meet the standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act. About 90 HeartShare children, between the ages of three and five, will utilize the facility daily, between Special Education and Universal Pre-K.
In addition, volunteers painted classrooms and “spruced up” the school.
This was HeartShare’s third playground build - the other two were in June 2007 at the schools in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and 101st Avenue in Queens.
But on this particular Saturday, the community really showed its heart. People came from all over - the Bronx, Long Island, New Jersey, even Philadelphia.
“We take it to the next level, we get our hands dirty,” said Jhoselin Fernandez, Regional Manager, WaMu Retail branches in Queens. “There is nothing more gratifying.”
She explained that volunteering is “Part of [WaMu’s] DNA.” Last year, she said, the company’s employees donated more than 165,000 hours of work in, and service to, communities.
“You’re only as strong as the community [you serve],” Fernandez said, adding, “[We’re] showing the rest of the country what Queens can do.”
And what Queens can do is great, according to Verdi, who told The Courier that throughout the process, local businesses pitched in - everything from food and refreshments to brand new tools.
“All of Cross Bay Boulevard donated,” she said, naming just a few - Carosello, RagTime, Dunkin’ Donuts, and more.
“HeartShare has great programs,”said Angelo Gurino, owner of RagTime, which donated breakfast and has given to HeartShare in the past —and will continue to do so in the future, he said.
Even Con Edison helped out - digging holes with hand-held augers.
After hours of toiling in the heat, the ribbon on the Adriana Rinaldi playground was cut. It is dedicated to the memory of the 12-year-old daughter of Bruno Rinaldi, owner of Carosello.
“We didn’t just build a playground, we [are helping to] develop the community,” said Caleb Marshall, Senior Project manager, KaBOOM!