Give the Gift of PLAY to a Child in Need by January 9th, 2023

As we approach the new year, PLAY Boulder’s PLAYpass program has an urgent need for community support.

The PLAY Boulder Foundation is the philanthropic partner of the Boulder Parks & Recreation department, functioning an entity separate from the City. This structure allows PLAY to enhance BPR’s work while also running programs and projects that exceed the City’s bandwidth, funding or jurisdiction, in order to best support the community. PLAY Boulder works to cultivate equitable access to recreation, improve sustainability and protect our environment, and enhance public green spaces.

The PLAYpass program is a part of the Foundation’s Access pillar, and strives to reduce barriers to fee-based participation in sports & recreation programs for children of low-income families in the community.

PLAYpass participants are awarded a $250 non-cash voucher that can be used at any of PLAY’s 19 unique service providers - from soccer to ballet, from martial arts to aerial dance, and from outdoor experiences to swimming, there are a huge array of programs that PLAYpasses can be applied to. Our program is also equipped with translation services, registration assistance, advocacy efforts, and DEI education to our service providers to break down the barriers PLAY Boulder has identified that keep kids from playing.

This season, the PLAYpass program is needed more than ever before - over 275 people applied within the first 48 hours of the Winter/Spring application session. This unprecedented demand for the program exceeds PLAY Boulder’s current funding, meaning that without community support, hundreds of applicants will unfortunately be waitlisted or turned down.

This program is exceptionally valuable and important to the Boulder community - the amount of demand received this application session is a clear testament to that. PLAYpasses are an essential tool for many families who face barriers to accessing sports & recreation programs, and who would not otherwise be able to afford for their children to participate.

Through the valuable opportunities it provides to under-resourced youth, a PLAYpass fosters wellbeing and healthy, active lifestyles for all Boulder children. Access to play improves physical & mental health, and builds valuable social skills.

“PLAYpass is a wonderful and beneficial program,” said one 2022 participant. “It gives children the opportunity to be included in high quality programs with their peers.”

Not only that, but the PLAYpass program empowers parents with tools that enhance their autonomy and ability to give to their children. A PLAYpass can relieve financial stress on low-income families, which is often an especially pressing concern during the holiday season.
“Our family is incredibly grateful for this program - truly a gift to us. The staff has been amazing, and the programs we participated in improved our lives so much, especially during this stressful and challenging time,” said another 2022 PLAYpass recipient.

PLAY Boulder is striving to raise funds from the community by January 9th, 2023, when PLAYpasses will begin being distributed. For $250, you can sponsor a PLAYpass for a child in need, giving them the gift of play and helping PLAY Boulder to move children off the waitlist as soon as possible.

Please consider making an end-of-year contribution to the PLAYpass program. Help us say “yes!” to as many children in need as possible - your support will directly & positively impact the lives of Boulder youth and their families. Visit www.playboulder.org/give-the-gift-of-play to sponsor a PLAYpass today!

PLAY Boulder Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent as provided by law.