The VA has partnered with the nonprofit organization “KaBOOM!” in an effort to create play spaces for young children visiting family members at VA hospitals. The initiative will have KaBOOM! provide play spaces to hospitals across the country.
“When veterans are dealing with a serious illness or injury, it can be incredibly stressful for their families, especially those with young children,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald. “Our partnership with KaBOOM! will enable us to use the simple art of play to help keep the children and families of veterans happy and healthy.”
The VA has been the center of several controversial issues over the last two years, including the manipulation of data showing how long veterans are waiting for care, the inability to fire corrupt and negligent officials and hundreds of millions of dollars on construction contracts.
However, the VA said the playground initiative is being sponsored by CarMax, which has made a “multi-million dollar commitment” to build four full-scale playgrounds and provide 30 grants for KaBOOM!’s “Imagination Playgrounds” across the country.
Together, the groups will determine which VA sites have the greatest need for play areas, and they have already identified VA Medical Centers and VA Fisher Houses as ideal potential locations.
“Through our partnership VA, together we are honoring and showing commitment to Veterans and military families by encouraging play, particularly for kids who need it most,” said KaBOOM! CEO James Siegal. (Source: Washington Examiner | Gabriella Ciuffetelli | 6/14/16)