Walnut Creek All-Abilities Playground

I need your help.  I am working
 with the Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation to raise $320,000 in private
contributions to make an All-Abilities Playground a reality in Walnut Creek.


The 
playground will be a place that embraces all children, including those with 
physical or developmental limitations, and will give every child a chance to
play with his or her siblings and friends. It will open in October 2014.

You
 can learn more at www.WCCivicPride.org.  The playground is being developed by the City with dedicated park funds and 
funds
from the County. Of 
course, the City’s park improvement funds are limited, so private
contributions
 are needed to provide for benches and shade structures, for bricks to
 complete
the main entrance to the playground, and for special play features. The 
private 
contributions also will ensure that critical play zones have the 
shock-absorbent, resilient surface that provides for optimal safety and full
 accessibility for all children. 

Our
 plan is to raise the $320,000 in private funds by March 31, 2014. I hope that 
you will 
join me in my efforts.  Here is how you
 can help:

1) Make 
a donation of any amount by visiting the Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation website,
 www.WCCivicPride.org.  If
you wish to make a donation of $100 or $250 you can recognize an individual 
or 
family with a commemorative brick.  Donations 
of $1,000 or more will be recognized as Major Donors on the donor wall, 
AND
,

2) Help 
spread the word.  Send this email to your 
friends, family members or community groups you are involved with. This 
wonderful community project will help celebrate Walnut Creek’s Centennial 
and 
welcome all the children of our community and their families for years to
 come.

Please 
contact me if you need additional information.



Glynnis Cowdery

lifmag@aol.com

Assemblywoman Bonilla Honors “Matteo’s Dream” Founders and Concord Boy who will ride in the Rose Bowl Parade


(CONCORD, CA) – Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla honored Concord residents Liz Lamach and René Henderson for their hard work and passion in founding “Matteo’s Dream – A Playground for Children of All Abilities.” Lamach and Henderson received a certificate from Assemblywoman Bonilla for making “Matteo’s Dream” come true, at a ceremony today at their playground in Concord. 
 


“‘Matteo’s Dream’ is unique because it is one of the few playgrounds in the nation where children with physical challenges can play with other children,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. “It is truly inspiring for me to see Liz and René realize their son’s dream by creating this playground from land donated by the City of Concord and see it receive national praise.” 
 


“René and I are both humbled and honored that Lions Club International chose this project for its Rose Parade float,” said Liz Lamach. “We are very proud to represent our son on this float, and the fact that we are going to share Matteo’s Dream with the country is incredible. Any time playgrounds get adapted to be more inclusive so that all children can play, we feel great pride.” 
 
Their crowning achievement, built in honor of their son, Matteo, now deceased, will be the focus of a Rose Bowl parade float sponsored by Lions Clubs International. Lamach will ride on the parade float along with Christian Campbell, a 17 year-old boy with cerebral palsy from Concord. At today’s ceremony, Christian and his mother Kausha King were congratulated by Assemblywoman Bonilla, City of Concord officials and the Concord Police Association, all who raised funds to send Christian and his family to ride in the 125th annual Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena. 
 
“Many individuals and local organizations were inspired by Christian’s story and made generous contributions to enable him and his family to live the dream and ride in the Rose Bowl Parade,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. “I am very proud to be a part of this community effort.” 
 


Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla was first elected to the Assembly in November 2010, and represents California's 14th Assembly District, which is comprised of the north and central portions of Contra Costa County and southern portion of Solano County. 
                                                                  
            # # # #

Background: City of Concord website of Matteo’s Dream playground 
Lions Clubs International blog about Matteo’s Dream in the Rose Parade

In the Photo: Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla honors “Matteo’s Dream” founders and Concord boy who will ride in the Rose Bowl Parade. Pictured with Assemblywoman Bonilla (standing on the left) are: (back row) Michael Campbell, Concord Mayor Tim Grayson, René Henderson of Matteo’s Dream, Tim Elsberry of Concord Police Association, and Liz Lamach of Matteo’s Dream; (front row) Christian Campbell of Concord who will be riding on the float.

Dan Okenfuss 
Press Secretary/Principal Consultant 
Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla 
State Capitol, Room 4140 
Sacramento, CA 95814 
Tel: (916) 319-2014 
E-mail: Dan.Okenfuss@asm.ca.gov