From The People: The Perez Family
The Cause: Kids Around the World
New Orleans, LA -- When Debbie Perez was offered an opportunity to volunteer through her church and travel to New Orleans to build playgrounds with the organization Kids Around the World, she couldn't pass it up. After adopting a child from Guatemala and seeing the hardships in that country, Perez wanted to volunteer in a developing country. But after Hurricane Katrina hit, and the need for volunteers was immediate closer to home, Perez jumped at the opportunity.
Kids Around the World aims to provide playground equipment to children living in an area or situation where it is difficult to just be a kid. To date, the organization has built 107 playgrounds in 25 countries with one goal in mind: restoring children's hope with "the power of play."
Debbie decided to enlist her husband, Mark, and their four children: Bill, Mary, Dulaney, and Teddy. By the second day, she realized that she didn't need to travel to a developing country to see devastation and great hardship. She found it right here in America.
After the playground was complete, Debbie and her family relished the smiles on the playing children's faces. In communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina, the new playgrounds became a beacon of hope. The Perez family was so inspired by the playground project, they immediately began raising money when they returned to their home in California. By organizing bake sales, selling sweatshirts, and holding silent auctions and fundraising events, the Perez family raised over $130,000. This helped build two Kids Around the World playgrounds in New Orleans and will fund the building of a third this summer.
Debbie says the smile on kids' faces when they step onto their new playground is what's really behind her drive to help. If you would like to donate to the Perez family's efforts, please visit their website. To learn more about how you can help build a playground, visit Kids Around the World.
Wow 4 kids of Katrina is such an amazing project this family is working on. It's great to know that the Gulf Coast has not been forgotten. There is so much still to be done. Keep up the good work Perez's!
Wow, very inspiring. Who knew that a family with four kids could give so much. So many of us feel overwhelmed just keeping up with schooling, sports, and playdates. Good for them!