Block Champions
In 2019 we launched a program called Block Champion out of a necessity to recognize the amazing and creative work that was being done with our Imagination Playground blocks.
We accept nominations quarterly and have awarded the title of Block Champion almost a dozen times now. Each time we are overwhelmed by the amazing people who are nominated and the incredible work they do in their community. Every time we think we have seen all the best there is, a handful of new ones cross our desks and we are blown away again.
We learn something new about the Imagination Playground Blocks and the amazing people who use them every time.
So what is a Block Champion? They are Leaders. They find places, or holes, in their community that need help, support or just attention and they address it. From a lack of playgrounds to the need for more educational tools, they identify the need and drive a solution through their own force of will. They are an Innovators. They find new ways to use the resources and Big Blue Blocks around them to address the needs of their community. Resourceful and imaginative, they teach us every day new ways to play and learn. They are Philanthropists. They are truly a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of their time, ingenuity and caring to good causes. Finally, they are an Advocate. They advocate for play as a solution to many of the world’s problems. When we build together all our differences melt away and we just become builders, working together toward a common goal. It is poetic, and beautiful. Their belief in play as an educational tool moves us.
On the following links, you will read some amazing stories and use cases for Imagination Playground Blocks. They will inspire and move you. If you want to learn more about getting Imagination Playground into your community please call us at 678-604-7466 and get a free sample it sent to you today.
If you know a Block Champion, please feel free to recognize them and nominate them for the next Block Champion.
Winter 2023
Dinora Padilla – Executive Director of Explorium Denton
Located in Denton, Texas, Dinora has been with the museum for 4 years total and has served as the Executive Director for almost half of that time.
Summer 2022
Nancy Shultz – Galveston Children’s Museum
Nancy Shultz, Founder and Executive Director of the Galveston Children’s Museum in Galveston, Texas!
Spring 2021
Duran Place for Kids in Ontario, Canada
Imagination Playground is proud to introduce to our Spring 2021 Block Champion Duran Place for Kids in Ontario, Canada!
Fall 2020
Jim Ponek – Parks and Recreation Director of Panama City Beach, Florida
Imagination Playground is proud to introduce to our Fall 2020 Block Champion, Jim Ponek, who is the Parks and Recreation Director of Panama City Beach, Florida!
Summer 2020
Kacy Hughes – Boston Children’s Museum
Kacy oversees a program called Family Play Week. The program started five years ago as a one week special, but has grown to a three-week program, with the last week being in Spanish.
Spring 2020
Amanda Schwichtenberg
Imagination Playground is proud to introduce you to our Spring 2020 Block Champion, Amanda Schwichtenberg, Program Manager for the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation and Community Services Department.
Winter 2020
Lael Arango and the Great Explorations Children’s Museum STEAM Team
We congratulate them for their creative solutions in addressing the needs of schools, and helping to overcome museum access barriers for families and groups in the area.
Fall 2019
Build & Play Academy
The Build & Play Academy – also called Pop-Up Playground – is a public good project throughLaunch Pad Finland NGO. Build & Play Academy has owned the Blue Blocks for less than one year and in that time they have expanded the boundaries of play, including taking the Blocks out in the snow!
Summer 2019
Reverend John H. Powell
For more than 25 years Reverend John H. Powell has volunteered every minute of his spare time to the support and education of underserved youth through his unpaid role as Executive Director for Truth for Youth, a 501c3 organization.
Spring 2019
Stefanie Rothschild
Imagination Playground is proud to introduce you to Stefanie Rothschild who has been teaching elementary physical education in Bellingham, Massachusetts for 16 years.