Eagles Complete their 13th annual playground build
 
July 3, 2009 – Philadelphia, PA  Philadelphia Eagles players, coaches, cheerleaders and staff joined 500 students at the Potter-Thomas School in the West Kensington section of Philadelphia today as part of the Eagles 13th Annual Playground Build.
 
Eagles Youth Partnership teamed up with Eagles owners Jeffrey and Christina Lurie, team President Joe Banner, Head Coach Andy Reid, quarterback Donovan McNabb and hundreds of others from the Eagles organization to transform Potter-Thomas into a safe and fun area for children to play. The team volunteers, community members and students spent the day together while they painted murals and constructed playground structures.
 
With the help of a team of artists from the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, colorful murals now adorn the school walls, both inside and out. A new turf field covers part of the schoolyard that was once a barren concrete lot, along with basketball nets, a volleyball court and gardens.
 
“The Eagles aren’t here just for the day, we are leaving something for the children that will last for decades,” said Eagles owner and Eagles Youth Partnership President Christina Lurie. “Eagles Youth Partnership will keep a relationship with the school for years to come, providing community support.”
 
Potter-Thomas was selected to be part of the 2009 Eagles Playground Build through the Eagles Youth Partnership (EYP) and the School District of Philadelphia. Over the past months, the Eagles Eye Mobile and Book Mobile have visited the school providing free books and eye care to the students. Eagles employees have also volunteered their lunch break one day a week to read with the Potter-Thomas students as part of the team’s Power Partners program.
 
The Eagles playground build was made possible with the help of the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the School District of Philadelphia, Playworld Systems, George Ely & Associates, Lowell Hartzell Contractor, Sprinturf, PermaLife Products, Aramark, Aquafina, Turkey Hill, Tents & Events and 94 WYSP. 
 
“Our goal is bigger than giving children a beautiful and safe place to play,” said Sarah Martinez-Helfman, Executive Director of Eagles Youth Partnership.  “This day is also about building hope and about showing children we can make dreams come true with commitment, planning and hard work.  Ultimately, it’s the tremendous effort of our all of our partners and the ongoing commitment of the people in this neighborhood that will bring lasting positive change to Potter-Thomas School and this community.” 
 
EYP would be unable to assist in rebuilding the Potter-Thomas Playground without the help of Eagles fans. Proceeds from events such as Eagles Flight Night! allow EYP to provide for Eagles Playground Builds, the Eagles Eye Mobile and Book Mobile, along with their many other programs.
 
For more information on EYP, Eagles Flight Night!, as well as photos from the Eagles Playground Build, please visit EaglesYouthPartnership.org. 
 
Images from today’s Eagles Playground Build can be found here on PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Higher resolution images can be provided.