November 11, 2014 - More than 200 BlueCross volunteers representing the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation (@BCBSTennessee), the City of Knoxville (@CityKnoxvilleTN), The Muse Knoxville (@MuseofKnoxville), organizers from KaBOOM! (@Kaboom) and residents of the Knoxville community will join forces on Friday, November 14 to give area kids the childhood they deserve by building a new playground. The design is based on children's drawings created at a special design event in September.

WHEN
Friday, November 14, 2014
8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. - Kick-off ceremony
11:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Best viewing of playground construction
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Final construction phase
2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Ribbon-cutting ceremony

WHERE:
Chilhowee Park
516 N. Beaman Street
Knoxville, TN 37914

WHO:
Hundreds of community volunteers and special guests including: Mayor Madeline Rogero - The City of Knoxville, Ellie Kittrell - The Muse Knoxville, and Ashley Williams - BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

WHY:
A playground is more than a playground. It's a brain-expander, friend-maker, and muscle-builder. Play is central to a child's ability to grow into a productive adult. It can transform children from sedentary, bored and solitary to physically, mentally and socially active. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has been dedicated to the bold goal of ensuring that all children get the balanced and active play they need to thrive because #playmatters for all kids.

Currently, the kids and families surrounding Chilhowee Park lack opportunities for outdoor play that are safe and accessible. The new playground will bring more than 15,000 kids in Knoxville one step closer to having the childhood they deserve.

The new playground is the 2nd built by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation and KaBOOM!. Through this partnership, more children will have a joyful childhood filled with play. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation supports KaBOOM! in promoting and protecting a child's right to active play at home, at school and in the community.

About The Muse Knoxville
The Muse Knoxville is a not for profit educational institution dedicated to inspiring and empowering generations at the intersection of science and art. The museum contains over 4,000 square feet of exhibit and play spaces, including Knoxville's only public access Planetarium and is open to the public every day of the week. Our programs include science demonstrations, art activities, camps, field trips, and classes. The Muse Knoxville is a member of the Science Alliance of Tennessee.

About Tennessee Health Foundation, Inc.
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, Inc. (THF) was established in December, 2003 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized to promote the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. THF awards grants focused on high-impact initiatives across the state, which promote healthy lifestyle choices and help control health care costs for all Tennessee residents. Working with civic and economic partners, THF is dedicated to the support of research, innovative programs and creative approaches to improve the health and quality of life of Tennesseans for generations to come.

About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,000 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 7.4 million children. 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 lives and communities. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.