Playworks 4th Annual Kickball Fundraiser Raises $41,950 for Healthy Kids

Portland, June 21, 2013. The  feisty Tektronix team won the Golden Trophy and title of 2013 Playworks Corporate Kickball Champion. (photo credit, Nicole Ishida) Playworks 4^th Annual Corporate Kickball Fundraiser drew top Portland employers to to the PCC Rock Creek Campus including:  lead sponsor – hubbub health, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, Columbia Sportswear, Moss Adams, Randall’s Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, Kohl’s, Nike, Keen, Schwabe Williamson, & Wyatt, Salesforce.com, Kaiser Permanente, and Waggener Edstrom. Over 200 supporters turned out for the friendly kickball tournament to benefit Playworks, a national non-profit dedicated to physical activity and anti-bullying in schools. The event raised a record-breaking $41,950 in donations to benefit 13 Portland area schools.

Additionally, hubbub recognized an individual embodying the spirit, passion and energy of the day while promoting collaboration and teamwork. hubbub chose to honor Paul Davis of Waggener Edstrom by donating an additional $500 on his behalf. Playworks also recognized exceptional spirit and gave the spirit award to Kaiser Permanente for outstanding sportsmanship and enthusiasm.

“Playworks mission embodies what hubbub health hopes to achieve – increased activity and inclusion in wellness initiatives,” said Director of Business Development Brian Berchtold. “The goal of the day was to play and have fun.  I’m very proud of our hubbub team who made it to the finals this year.  Not only did we win a few games, but we had fun along the way.”

“Support from hubbub this year was key in deepening meaningful relationships with partners who share our values to bring the wide span benefits of positive play to thousands of children across the region, “said Playworks Portland executive director Jonathan Blasher. “Businesses coming together to support the future workforce is critical. Together, we are changing lives by helping thousands of kids in the Portland metro area.

About Playworks 

Playworks is a national nonprofit organization that provides safe, healthy, inclusive play and physical activity to schools at recess and throughout the entire school day. Celebrating 17 years, Playworks is the only nonprofit organization in the country to send trained, full-time coaches to low-income schools. Playworks currently serves more than 170,000 children in 360 low-income schools in 22 cities throughout the country every school day.

Playworks will be celebrating their fifth year in the Pacific Northwest, where it has grown to serve more the 80 schools across the area through a combination of training and direct service with 13 low income schools providing 5,500 students with  safe and inclusive play daily,  improving school climate and transforming the educational environment.  Please visit their website for more information on how to get involved:  http://www.playworks.org/portland.