ESPN, volunteers build San Jose playground to celebrate Super Bowl 50
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- In celebration of the Super Bowl, hundreds of volunteers gathered today to build a playground for kids in San Jose's Almaden neighborhood.
ESPN, ABC7 News, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Disney Store VoluntEARS, the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders were all among those who pitched in to build the playground.
They are building a playground for nearly 200 kids who live at the Blossom River apartments near the Westfield Oakridge Mall. KaBOOM! A national non-profit, organized the event.
"There was a very old decrepit playground out here and so to ensure the kids have a safe outlet to play, we're transforming that into a beautiful new place," KaBOOM! spokesperson Kristin Karcsh said.
"I'm grateful for that because we couldn't do that by ourselves," Blossom River apartments resident Mario Vega said.
"It looks good so far and I'm really grateful for all the people coming to help," Blossom River apartments resident Mases Hamberson said.
ABC7 is proud to be a part of the team, along with ESPN, our parent company Disney, the Housing Authority for Santa Clara County, and several players from the 49ers and Raiders.
"Trying to get the kids to play for 60 minutes a day, get their heart rate going and get them active so we can stay fit as a country," San Francisco 49ers' Kendall Gaskins said.
The playground was designed by the kids and when it's completed it will have a cuatro seesaw and a triple racer slide.
KaBOOM! works to accelerate efforts that move every child in America to play every day. Together, with Disney and ESPN, KaBOOM! has built more than 65 new play spaces across America, giving thousands of kids access to healthier lifestyles, along with a safe and fun place to play and grow.
By the end of 2016, Disney's support will bring the magic of play to over 83,000 kids and families.
