Foresters and community partners volunteer to build new playground for Universal Academy in Irving

Irving, TX, October 10, 2009 – Universal Academy has a brand new playground today thanks to a coordinated effort of 200 volunteers from Foresters^TM, students, teachers and the community who erected the facility. This playground will serve the students where previously there was old equipment. Texas District 105 Representative Linda Harper-Brown and Diane Harris, Chief Education Officer and Superintendent, joined Darwin Hurme, AVP, NAA Sales, Foresters, in acknowledging the tremendous contribution made by all the volunteers.

 

"Today we saw Foresters purpose come to life," said Darwin Hurme. "The children of Irving can spend quality time together with their families and friends in their new playground, playing, learning and having fun. Foresters champions the well-being of families by investing in the communities where our members live and by providing opportunities for our members, our agents and staff to make a difference."

 

Foresters, a member-based life insurance provider with members throughout Texas, funded and organized the playground build with KaBOOM!, local parents, Universal Academy students and faculty. This is the fifth of six playgrounds in the U.S. that Foresters is funding and organizing with KaBOOM! this year. In its 135th anniversary year, Foresters has invested close to $500,000 to provide playgrounds where children and their parents can spend quality time together playing, learning and having fun.

 

"We are very appreciative that Universal Academy has been selected to receive this incredible playground for our children," said Diane Harris, CEO/ Superintendent. "The generosity of Foresters and KaBOOM! will provide a safe play space for our children."

 

Before the first hole was dug in the ground, children from the Universal Academy helped design the playground of their dreams.

 

"Playgrounds play such an important role in the physical, emotional and social development of children," said Janice Blackmon, Director of Administrative Services. "We thank Foresters and KaBOOM! for choosing Universal Academy."

 

The new playground will be nearly 2,450 square feet in size and includes an accessible driving panel, adaptive swing seat, funnel adventure tube, inclined cliff hanger, rock blocks climbing wall and much more. With a duration expectancy range from 15 to 20 years, the playground has the capacity to serve approximately 15,000 children in its lifetime.

 

Foresters investment in this playground extends beyond the work completed on build day. Foresters volunteers and the community have made a commitment to maintain the playground to ensure it is available for subsequent generations of parents and children.

 

Universal Academy, established under its parent company, LTTS Charter School, Inc., Charter Number 1489849-01, is a State of Texas non-profit school. Formed for the purpose of educating children and to create and operate an efficient, organized and quality-based educational institution. Universal Academy is responsible and accountable for providing the necessary educational tools and skills for students to develop superior levels of achievement. Universal Academy emphasizes academic, social and physical excellence as targeted areas of student demonstration. In addition, Universal Academy actively engages local corporations, parents, teachers, students, and the community in all aspects of learning. Universal Academy has been identified by the U.S. News & World Report as one of America's Best High Schools. For more information, visit www.universalacademy.com.

 

KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since 1995, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,700 new playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including an online community, regional and national trainings, grants, publications and the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, which includes Playful City USA and the Playmaker Network – a national network of individual advocates for play. Headquartered in Washington, DC, KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago, IL and San Mateo, CA. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org.

 

Founded in 1874 as a fraternal benefit society, Foresters^TM champions the well-being of families through quality life insurance, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities. Foresters shares its financial strength with more than 650,000 members in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Unity Life of Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foresters, represents Foresters in Canada. Foresters is celebrating its 135th anniversary in 2009. For more information, please visit www.foresters.com.