Our summer of 2020 activity bag initiative, Summer Fun: JUST PLAY!, began as a way to fill the play void during the pandemic. We distributed 550 bags to children in need throughout the tri-state area. They included items such as a frisbee, jump rope, soccer ball, and garden kit. Each purple bag also included a packet of sunflowers, as they remind us of Alexandra.

The new playground built in the spring of 2020 at School 10, was our 8th in Paterson, NJ and our 30th overall. It is designed for their students in grades K-8. Though the pandemic prevented our usual Community Build, Kompan’s professional installers made sure it would be ready for the kids when the school could re-open.

Music wafted through Paterson, NJ’s School 19 yard on a sunny day in October 2019. The volunteers were full of energy and determination as they worked to build this long awaited playground. As soon as it was complete, the children began climbing, spinning and filling the air with their laughter and joy.

Paterson’s School 19 has been waiting patiently for their new playground. And this October the wait will be over. Their new Kompan playground for ages 5-12 will provide the students in grades K-4 with places to spin, climb, explore and socialize with each other. As with all of our playgrounds, it will be open to the community after school hours and on weekends so that all children in the neighborhood can enjoy it.

We’re excited to be donating our second playground in Afghanistan. There are more than 3,500 students attending this all girls school, in multiple shifts each day. This will certainly give the playground quite a workout. We are glad to partner again with the charity “Playground Builders”, which builds playgrounds in war affected countries.