Playworks honored AmeriCorps at its Get in the Game benefit on May 12, 2017 in San Francisco. The event was hosted by Oakland Raiders Cornerback T.J. Carrie, who volunteers with Playworks at Parker Elementary School in Oakland.
“It’s a distinct honor to recognize AmeriCorps by awarding the organization and its members for their tremendous service,” says Playworks Founder and CEO Jill Vialet. “We’re proud to partner with AmeriCorps in fostering leadership development and meaningful civic engagement.”
AmeriCorps Service Members were awarded the 2017 Most Inspiring Leader Award for strengthening their communities across the country.
Playworks also recognized outstanding school partners and staff who help make safe, healthy play a reality in their school communities. Al Busch, a principal from Wisconsin, was honored with The Most Valuable Principal Award for consistently going above and beyond to ensure that every kid on the playground feels included, is active, and builds valuable social and emotional skills. Mitzi Ortega, a first-year Playworks AmeriCorps coach at a school in Arizona, received The Rookie of the Year Award for exemplifying service and the power of play.
Thanks to the generosity of community members and lead event sponsors, New Balance Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, Playworks raised over $300,000. These funds help Playworks achieve its aim to help 3.5 million kids in 7,000 elementary schools across the country experience safe, healthy play by 2020.
(Photography by Colson Griffith and Anna Rembold)
