VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.–Members of Chartway Federal Credit Union’s board and senior management team helped to assemble a Roc Solid Foundation playground local kid hero, Landon.
On the day the playground was assembled, the morning was filled with helping hands, drill bits, nuts, bolts, screws, and smiling faces as the Chartway leadership team created breakout groups. Each breakout group worked to assemble different sections of the playground, the credit union said.
Brian Schools, Chartway’s president & CEO, worked with his team to assemble the ladder, while Danielle Abbassi, president of Chartway’s We Promise Foundation, partnered with Kim Little, executive vice president & COO, to create the interior play station. As team members constructed their individual areas, each breakout group started to see how their part played into the collective playground, the credit union said.
“For both the board and the senior leadership team, this build was not only a humbling way to work with the local Hampton Roads community, but it was also a meaningful team-building experience,” the credit union said.
By mid-morning, a fully-assembled playground complete with a slide, swing, rock wall, and ladder had come together. Chartway’s team members then had the opportunity to sign the playground with encouraging words. Kim Ross, Chartway’s chief human resource officer, even drew paw prints and quotes from Nickelodeon’s “Paw Patrol,” local kid hero Landon’s favorite TV show.
“Part of the We Promise mission is to make hopes and dreams come true for local kid heroes facing medical challenges,” said Abbassi. “Working with Roc Solid allows us to not only make those dreams and wishes come true, but also gives us the ability to let kids play and forget about whatever challenge they’re facing. That’s what it’s all about – letting kids be kids!”
Brian Schools, president & CEO of Chartway, agreed. “Part of partnering with Roc Solid and working to build these playgrounds allows us to help these families as they fight medical hardship with their child. Today, we built an outlet for Landon to play, and a place for his family to watch him heal, laugh, and be himself.”
By noon, Landon’s family had arrived on-site for the big reveal. Although Landon – who is currently receiving treatment for neuroblastoma – was unable to make it to the reveal as he was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital, his family and six-year-old older brother, Tre, joined the Chartway team for the big reveal. Tre arrived blindfolded and following the big countdown and reveal, he ran to the playground and began to do what kids do best – play, the credit union said. '