PRESS RELEASE
Thunderbirds Charities announces its support of the relaunch of Playworks’ TeamUp program in Title 1 schools in Arizona and further innovation of the Playworks Pro training programs, professional development programs for adults who work with kids. Together, these organizations will support kids transitioning to schools and recess safely from the COVID-19 pandemic. This investment will enable students in our community to re-engage socially, physically and emotionally by providing them with Playworks’ unique tools and resources to experience joy, socialize with their peers, re-engage in person and strengthen their social-emotional learning this year. A series of training sessions will provide techniques, resources and strategies to help adults implement and support safe, healthy and inclusive play with kids.
“We are so grateful to receive a $37,500 grant from Thunderbirds Charities and excited to partner to positively impact our community,” says Kerryann Tomlinson, Vice President, Field Operations of Playworks Arizona. “Many students have experienced significant trauma in the last two years; these funds will directly support 22,000 students in low-income schools across the valley with social emotional learning and resources.”
“The support from Thunderbirds Charities makes the Playworks mission possible in Arizona. I am proud of the work we are able to do with elementary schools in Arizona and our goal to support 22,000 students this school year and Thunderbirds Charities is integral to our goal,” says Will Spong, Arizona Board Chair.
Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional health. For more information about Playworks, visit www.playworks.org/arizona.
Thunderbirds Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the WM Phoenix Open. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 285 “life” members. For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2022 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com. For more information on the Thunderbirds Charities, visit www.thunderbirdscharities.org.
CONNECT:
Find Playworks on social media. #PlayworksArizona; Playworks on Facebook (@PlayworksArizona); Instagram (@playworksAZ); YouTube (Playworks)
Contact:
Kerryann Tomlinson | kerryann.tomlinson@playworks.org | (c) (480) 628-7106
