This post is gonna be a bit different.
But this message is really, really important to me and I want to share it with you. So please, bear with me.
As a Small Business owner for the better part of my life at this point, I've been lucky enough to be a part of some really special community action and partnerships.
- In 2011, we took truck loads of clothes, food donations, and dollars to the tornado victims in Tuscaloosa, Hackleburg and other areas.
- We've helped to raise and donate thousands of dollars to Breast Cancer Research through the Liz Hurley Foundation.
- We've been partners with and contributed to Brothers For Life for over a decade, helping to support our local firefighters when they're in need.
- During the pandemic, we partnered with Fit Five Meals and several generous individuals in our community to take HUNDREDS of free meals and coffee to our first responders in the Decatur, Madison & Huntsville area.
- We've donated to sports teams, various community events, and contributed to many a GoFundMe in the wake of a customer's house fire or sudden loss.
What I want to drive home here is that helping our community is not a new thing for us, but a pillar of the business itself.
It's the whole reason I started Absolute Nutrition in the first place. We help customers with their health & fitness goals on a daily basis, but we also find other ways to make an impact as well.
For the last 2 years, I've been working on the biggest opportunity yet to make an impact on our community.
The long & short of it:
I serve on the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board and we've been a vital part of working to rebuild one of the busiest playgrounds in the area into a brand new and Inclusive playground for all kids to enjoy, Kid's Kingdom.
The playground is located in the City of Madison, AL but parents and buses full of kids come from all over North Alabama to enjoy this park and playground. MCDAB and our community partners wanted to ensure that in the revitalization of this playground, that EVERY kid has a chance to enjoy the same fun filled experience that a playground has to offer. (More on this below)
So why am I emailing you about this?
We're not quite done yet, and could use your help, too!
I never made this public, but last November, Absolute Nutrition wrote a check for $10,000 to contribute to the Kid's Kingdom Project. It's the most we've ever been able to contribute and it was a big step, far out of our financial comfort zone.
So why did I do it?
It's real simple. Because I believe in putting your money where your mouth is.
If I am going to lead the charge and ask others to donate their hard earned money or for their organization to be a part of this project, I'm going to show up and do the same and vote with my dollars, too.
Because beyond the profit & loss statements, the balance sheets, or any indicator of what revenue a business can generate during it's operation, I believe Henry Ford said it best..."A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business."
So far, we've had some incredibly generous folks contribute.
To the beginning of this month, we've raised right at 80% of the funds needed to complete the project!
The community support for this project has been great, and with the blessing of the City of Madison, we broke ground on the project just a couple weeks ago!However, we still have a bit of a funding gap to close before the parks completion and I wanted to ask for your help.
Absolute Nutrition customers have always come out to support many of the efforts I listed above in the past, and I know our customer base is special and often looks for ways to help support the community.
So, how can you help?
We live in a digital world, so donating to projects like this is easier than ever.
I'm going to link 3 easy ways below that you can donate if you would like.
And guys, every dollars counts. Whether it's $5 or $500, it adds up. If every Absolute Nutrition customer donated just $10, we'd hit our goal. I'm grateful for those of you that can and want to help.
Our fiduciary partner in the project, Madison Visionary Partners is a 501(c)(3) organization, and can provide tax exemption receipts upon your request.
Ways to donate to Kid's Kingdom digitally:
Every donation helps. $5, $25, $100 - whatever you can contribute!
Click to donate via Paypal here
Click to donate via Venmo here
Don't live the digital life?
Paper is cool, too.
If you'd prefer to mail a check, make them payable to Madison Visionary Partners and mail them to this address:
Madison Visionary Partners
103 Spenryn Dr
Madison, AL 35758
So, what is an inclusive playground exactly?
An inclusive playground equally challenges and accommodates the needs of all children, both able-bodied individuals and those with a physical or mental condition that limits their abilities. Unlike an accessible ADA compliant playground which is designed to provide easy entry, travel and movement to and through the equipment, an inclusive playground provides access and encourages and enables children to interact with one another.
The core of an inclusive playground is to create social interaction. Everyone is a child first, we are all just differently abled. We want to create a stimulating, engaging and safe place for kids of all abilities to interact.
Want to learn more about Kid's Kingdom Project?
Visit www.GoBuildAKingdom.com
or click to watch the video below
Thank you for reading, for listening, and most importantly, for having a shared heart for our community.
Sincerely,
- Matt