HOUSTON, TX, November, 27, 2017 – Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) and national non-profit KaBOOM! awarded Eyes On Me, Inc. a $15,000 Let’s Play Community Construction Grant that will be used to build a community playground for Brookshire, TX
The grant is part of Let’s Play, an initiative by DPS to provide kids and families with the tools, places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority. Unstructured, child-directed play has proven to help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually, yet today’s kids have less time and fewer opportunities to play than any previous generation. As a result of Let’s Play grants and projects, more than 6.5 million kids will benefit from new or improved playgrounds around the nation by the end of 2020.
“Brookshire is a small town just west of Houston, TX with a limited number of playgrounds for kids to have fun,” said Ryan Orbin, Eyes On Me Program Director for Brookshire. “This awesome grant from DPS and KaBOOM! significantly changes that and will have such a positive impact on the community.”
Funding from this grant will support the construction of a new playground in the heart of Brookshire, TX. Adjacent to a newly renovated community center and athletic fields (under construction), this playground will provide a fun-filled safe zone for families to become active and grow closer together. Building this playground will not only bring the community out to assist in its construction, but will also draw the residents closer to programming that will provide opportunities for people’s lives to be transformed. Projected build date for the playground is March 23-24, 2018.
Dr Pepper Snapple has committed more than $35.5 million to Let’s Play through 2019, impacting youth-serving organizations across the U.S., as well as Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple partners with two non-profit organizations, KaBOOM! and Good Sports, to build and improve playgrounds in underserved communities and provide grants for sports equipment. In this way, Dr Pepper Snapple is doing our part to help eliminate the play deficit by making active play possible for more kids.
Since its launch in 2011, Let’s Play has provided more than 10 million children with more opportunities to play via safe, accessible playgrounds and sports equipment. Moreover, by 2020 we will have engaged more than 80,000 volunteers from Dr Pepper Snapple, our partners and our communities in this effort.
Visit Let’s Play at www.LetsPlay.com to join the conversation and learn how to apply for the various available grants to make communities more active and playful.
About Eyes On Me, Inc.
Eyes On Me is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization based in Houston, TX. Eyes On Me aims to transform lives and communities through intentional outreach, discipleship and mentorship programs while lovingly serving the community. Founded in 2008, Eyes On Me currently provides programs for inner-city communities throughout the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area and surrounding cities, including Brookshire. In 2016, Eyes On Me served over 43,000 people through its efforts and expects to serve more than 45,000 in 2017.
About Let’s Play
Let’s Play is an initiative by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to provide kids and families with the tools, places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority. Through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple partners with two nonprofit organizations, KaBOOM! and Good Sports, to build and improve playgrounds in underserved communities and provide grants for sports equipment. In this way, Dr Pepper Snapple is doing our part to help eliminate the play deficit by making active play possible for more kids. Since its launch in 2011, Let’s Play has provided more than 10 million children with more opportunities to play via safe, accessible playgrounds and sports equipment. For more information, please visit LetsPlay.com or Facebook.com/LetsPlay.
About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott’s, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose’s, Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit www.DrPepperSnapple.com. For our latest news and updates, follow us at www.Facebook.com/DrPepperSnapple or www.Twitter.com/DrPepperSnapple.
About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open, or improve more than 16,700 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers, and served 8.5 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters and why cities are embracing #playability: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.