I’m a Playmaker!: Philly

New Philadelphia Playmaker Lu Hanessian reminds us that play is our birthright — and that the right hat adds style! Why is Lu a Playmaker? Let her count the ways in the latest installment of our “I’m a Playmaker” Series!

Serving Up Play Kits with a Side of Love

Want to see how the Playmakers are making good use of our Airstream on the Tour? Check out our new video from the Philly Training.

I’m a Playmaker!: NYC

Ever wonder what the children in your care will look back on and remember as their “favoritest thing in the whole world”? New York Playmaker Mari Castellanos shares her thoughts on this and more in our latest “I’m a Playmaker” series.

I’m a Playmaker!: Norwood, MA

This is the first in a series of interviews from our 2011 Playmakers Tour. Play on!

Winning. Redefined.

Is it possible to be outscored and still win? After all, isn’t winning about being successful and isn’t there more than one way to measure success? Ben and I played hoop today with the joy and passion of Peter Pan (and the defensive intensity of Tinker Bell). I almost forgot how much I love the echo of a dribble on pavement, the sting of sun & sweat in my eyes, the sound of good-natured trash talk, and the sight of children smiling.

If that’s losing, I’ll take it.

This is the first of a video series we’ll post to our blog. We call it the State of Playfulness series. We’re in search of signs of playfulness on the streets of the cities we visit on our six-city tour throughout August. In the midst of hard and uncertain economic times, is America losing its playfulness? Or does our playful spirit shine in any circumstance and give us hope for the future? That’s what we want to find out by taking our camera to the streets of our cities. Check out what we found in Times Square.

The Journey is the Destination…

Being a Playmaker is not a 9 to 5 job! You can’t turn it on or off!  Real Playmakers are committed full-time to spreading good vibes everywhere they go; even on I 95 in rush hour.

It’s not always easy and sometimes we slip, but being a Playmaker sure does make for a smoother, more joyful ride.

On the Road Again…

In a few short days the ultimate road trip will begin for the Life is good Playmakers Team, as we travel 1,200 miles from Boston to Biloxi to train and certify 350 new Playmakers in six cities who will positively impact the lives of thousands of children.  One team.  One awesome RV (thanks, Airstream!).  One Hybrid Truck. One Video Camera. Several hundred fleece balls and a shared mission to spread ripples of joy that will inspire additional ripples that together will build a current so strong that it will sweep down even the greatest walls of fear, despair and loneliness (okay, that’s actually a shameless rip off of Robert F. Kennedy’s speech, but he said it so eloquently in 1966.)

When this Playmakers Summer Tour idea was born, the goal was to mobilize our movement (because a movement, by nature, has to be mobile) and to shine our collective light on places that truly need it.  Several months later, after hundreds of phone calls, emails, meetings, interviews, road trips, equipment purchases, solicitations, headaches, sleepless nights, acid reflux and giddiness, this crazy idea has become a reality. It’s gonna be something special!

Below are my top ten goals for the trip (in no particular order).

1.  Get to where we’ve got to go safely (namely Norwood, New York, Philly, DC, Tuscaloosa, Mississippi – and a bunch of places in-between).

2.  Inspire some 350 child care providers to form more joyful, loving, empowering and inspiring relationships with children.

3.  Make unforgettable memories.

4.  Grow closer as a team.

5.  Listen and learn.

6.  Make some noise and inspire others to take action to spread joy and alleviate suffering.

7. Share our stories.

8.  Raise awareness.

9.  Laugh often and make thousands of people smile.

10.  Avoid a nervous breakdown.

Our team plans to share much with our supporters in photos and videos that capture insights into the state of playfulness in America’s cities, inspirational moments, Playmaker profiles, and just plain silliness. Stay tuned.

Love and Peace,

Steve