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Newsroom MDRT Foundation Makes Dream Playground a Reality
Looking on at the brightly colored playground equipment and fresh smelling grass, you would never know that only three days previously what you were seeing had been a vacant lot. Battling mud and rain, a determined team of volunteers persevered and worked with the utmost efficiency to create this transformation. The dramatic improvement was a concerted effort. KIDS president, Jim Rosene, was exploring the need in Los Angeles for a playground build. Rosene made contact with several large organizations, including the LA Park District and several local government officials. But it wasn’t until he followed up on another contact that he met the Rev. Joseph Browne. The Rev. Browne of Faith in Christ Ministries, a non-denominational church, had long dreamt of making better use of the vacant lot between his church and an alternative school. Actively involved in his neighborhood, the Rev. Browne had felt the need for a playground. In fact, the Rev. Browne already had schematics for one hanging up in his church before Rosene showed up, but didn’t know how to fund it, order it or build it. “I think he [Rev. Browne] was in shock when I first told him about KIDS, because he didn’t seem to think I was really going to take on this project,” explains Rosene. “I guess other people have come by offering to help but making only empty promises." “I surprised him by taking his plans right off the wall to use in making the final design,“ added Rosene. KIDS, the 2002 Seeds of Life grant recipient, asked the MDRT Foundation if they would consider partnering with them on this particular build. The MDRT Foundation had seen firsthand the good that resulted from working with KIDS during the playground builds in Trinidad and Tobago in March 2002. Remembering the children’s faces when they realized those new playgrounds were built for them, the MDRT Foundation agreed to provide the necessary financial backing and volunteers. All these resources were made available through the caring and sharing spirit of MDRT members. “We had such a great experience with KIDS in Trinidad last year,” said 2003 MDRT Foundation President Mitchell W. Ostrove, CLU, ChFC. “When they asked us if we wanted to do another build with them, it was a very easy decision.” With all the pieces in place, it was just a matter of hard labor to get the job done. Luckily, the MDRT volunteers were up to the challenge. Fifteen MDRT members and two of their spouses moved mulch, assembled equipment, laid down sod, installed a sprinkler and more. Among the volunteers were 2003 MDRT President Richard H. Sullenger; 2003 MDRT Vice President Adelia C. Chung, CLU, ChFC; 2003 MDRT Foundation President Mitchell W. Ostrove, CLU, ChFC; 2003 MDRT Foundation Vice President John Marshall Lee, CLU, RHU; and 2003 MDRT Foundation Secretary Allan G. Hancock, CLU, ChFC. “I am definitely impressed by the generosity of time and energy given by these volunteers. Their caring spirit is what MDRT is all about,” said Sullenger. “Anyone who is willing to carry that much dirt back and forth deserves to be commended!” After three days, the MDRT volunteers had created a masterpiece. What had previously been home only to weeds, mud and rusty cars was now not just a playground, but a park with a basketball court, garden and benches surrounded by green grass. “It was hard to see progress while we were working, but we reflected on the results of our hard work at the end of each day,” explained Gene L. Mahn, CLU, ChFC, 1998 MDRT President and the 1993–94 MDRT Foundation President. “When I stepped back on Saturday and saw the finished playground...it was amazing.”
Commented one local resident, “I can’t believe how it’s come together. Who would have thought — something like this on 47th and Western?” KIDS, the MDRT Foundation’s 2002 Seeds of Life Grant recipient, is an organization that brings smiles to children around the globe. To date, KIDS has built more than 25 playgrounds in 11 countries. The grant made by the MDRT Foundation that funded this playground build would not have been available without the generosity of our supporters. To help continue make meaningful grants around the world and in your community, go to: www.mdrtfoundation.org/donate/donate_waystogive.html Or to read about
the last KIDS build, go to: PECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
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Fifteen
MDRT members volunteered their time on February 13–16 to build a playground
for needy children in Los Angeles, California, with Kids Around the
World (KIDS).
In
an area where houses are separated by gates and barred windows, community
members of all ages finally have a place to come together.
Richard
H. Sullenger, Bakersfield, CA