Foresters Financial, KaBOOM! and volunteers bring families together with new playground at Coffey Park

COCKRELL HILL, TX, May 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - The Cockrell Hill community was revitalized today thanks to a new playground built at Coffey Park. In less than eight hours, more than 200 volunteers from Foresters Financial^TM, City of Cockrell Hill, Cockrell Hill Beautification Association, and non-profit KaBOOM! created the new play space, which will serve more than 1,100 children and their families in the local community for years to come.

"We believe in enriching lives and building strong communities – that's our purpose," said Tony Garcia, President and CEO, Foresters Financial. "Playgrounds are important to communities, providing a public space where children can play safely, families can spend quality time and the community can come together. An investment in a playground is an investment in community, and we are happy to provide the Cockrell Hill community with a place that families can enjoy for years to come."

The design for the new playground is based on drawings created by neighborhood children at a special Design Day event held in March when community members met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Foresters Financial to design their dream playground. The drawings inspired the final playground design.

Foresters Financial, an international financial services provider, helps families reach their financial goals, protect themselves and make a lasting difference in their communities. This year, Foresters and KaBOOM! are proudly celebrating the 10 year anniversary of  their partnership. Since 2006, Foresters has invested more than $11.5 million with KaBOOM! to build more than 130 playgrounds – including 5 in the Dallas area - across the US and Canada by the end of 2016. Over their 15-year lifespan, these playgrounds will provide more than 4.5 million children and their families with an opportunity to spend quality time together and enhance family well-being.

"Life long residents of Cockrell Hill have always said they felt safe and a part of the community. This new playground will enable even more families in Cockrell Hill to experience lasting positive memories of community," Said City Manager Bret Haney

Green spaces and safe play structures where children and families can enjoy and spend time together are sparse in many high density communities. Playing outdoors is an important part of every child's healthy development and the creation of this new playground will allow thousands of children to play safely and be active in their community.

Foresters Financial is a KaBOOM! Founding Partner and National Partner. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has been dedicated to the bold goal of ensuring that all children get the balance of active play they need to become healthy and successful adults because #playmatters.

About City of Cockrell Hill
The City of Cockrell Hill was incorporated in 1937 and provides the basic services such as Police, Fire, Water/Sewer/Library/Public Works, and Parks/Recreation to our residents. The City of Cockrell Hill is excited to partner with Foresters Financial and KaBOOM! to bring a new playground to the families of Cockrell Hill.

About Cockrell Hill Beautification Association
The Cockrell Hill Beautification Association is a non-profit organization that strives to beautify and restore areas in the City of Cockrell Hill. The Cockrell Hill Beautification Association is comprised solely of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about the Cockrell Hill Community. The volunteers work hard to beautify and restore areas of Cockrell Hill.

Foresters Financial
Foresters Financial™ is an international financial services provider with more than three million clients and members in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. We provide life insurance, savings, retirement and investment solutions that help families achieve their financial goals and make a lasting difference in their lives and communities. For over 140 years, Foresters Financial has built a foundation of financial strength and a commitment of giving back to our clients and members and the communities where they live. For more information, visit foresters.com.

Foresters Financial and Foresters are trade names and trademarks of The Independent Order of Foresters (a fraternal benefit society) and its subsidiaries. 413565B US (05/16)

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 nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers, and served 8.1 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.

SOURCE Foresters

Related Links

www.foresters.com