NYS Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Inc. Washington Park Playground, Albany, NY Washington Park Playground Project a Huge Success! Playground Erected on Saturday, April 24, 2004! The New York State Society would like to extend its sincerest thanks to all of the volunteers who came out to Washington Park on Saturday, April 24th to build the first community playground project undertaken by NYSSOS. The event was a collaborative effort by NYSSOS, City of Albany and KaBOOM!. The day kicked off at 8:00 am with breakfast for the volunteers and a warm-up and rally at 8:30 am. The project Build Captains lined up with their team logo and were joined by their section assistants. Each team had approximately five people who worked on either the borders/concrete, moving mulch or assembling a playground component. NYSSOS members participating in the event were joined by the Orthopaedic Nurses Association, Capital Region Orthopaedic Group, BBL Construction Services, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, Key Bank, City of Albany, residents from the Washington Park Neighborhood and NYSSOS staff. While everyone worked away, children’s activities were organized and operated by Lisa Connally, Grant Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. The children of volunteers were treated to arts and crafts activities, bubble-making, a yo-yo show and musical activities. The playground was completed by 3:00 pm and the participants celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and were joined by Mayor Gerald Jennings (City of Albany), Ronald McDonald (Ronald McDonald House Charities), Dr. James E. Striker (NYSSOS), Dr. David Quinn (Capital Region Orthopaedic Group) and John Kellogg (BBL Construction Services). The Project Manager was Hanh Le from KaBOOM!. Hanh has participated in the development of hundreds of playground projects throughout the country and we all benefited from her experience and expertise. NYSSOS would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs. Marianne Quinn and Mrs. Kathy Striker. They served the Society as the Fundraising Chairwomen for this project. The Society received $54,000 in donations to support this project from the following companies: Washington Park Playground Project Sponsors Level I Capital Region Orthopaedic Group Ronald McDonald House Charities BBL Construction Services NYS Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons Level II Key Bank Massry Charitable Foundation Nigro Companies Level III American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Stuyvesant Plaza Dr. and Mrs. Brian O’M Quinn Additionally, NYSSOS would like to recognize and extend its gratitude and thanks to the Playground Planning Committee who met once a week to coordinate the project and ensured its success: Hanh Le Project Manager KaBOOM! Kathy Striker NYSSOS Marianne Quinn NYSSOS Lisa Connally Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region Beth Lacey Washington Park Neighborhood Sandra Baptie Washington Park Conservancy John D’Antonio Commissioner Department of Parks and Recreation City of Albany John Gustin Department of Recreation City of Albany Pat Brown Department of Recreation City of Albany John Lasch Department of Recreation City of Albany Joe Rabito Office of the Mayor City of Albany Sarah Pinsky KaBOOM! Lastly, no project would be possible without the food necessary to nourish the volunteers! Thank you especially to: Panera Bread Price Chopper Mr. Subb Stewart’s Thank you everyone!