Action: J F Kennedy Playground and the Pepsi Refresh Grant

Hi Steve,

As education budgets continue to shrink nationwide, the Pepsi Refresh Project is giving grassroots organizations opportunities to improve their communities.  Our school, J F Kennedy Elementary in Franklin, MA is trying to build an inclusive playground so that all children can play together in our community.  We are hoping that you can tell your readers how they can easily help J F Kennedy Elementary School win $50,000 grant to build an inclusive playground.  Our playground will have slides, climbing structures, ramps for access, and sensory panels for children with sensory integration concerns so that all children can play together.

                                          

Starting now through Nov. 30^th you can help support our children by voting for our idea "Building an inclusive playground so all children can play together" at www.4jfkplay.com.

Anyone 13 years of age and older can vote once a day via the internet and text for the idea they believe is most deserving of a grant.   The top ten ideas that receive the highest number of votes, in our category of education/$50,000 will be awarded thegrant.

Here are three easy steps you and your readers can take to help our community get a new inclusive playground.

1.      Vote online

1.      Log on to www.4jfkplay.com

2.      Register to Vote

3.      Vote for "Building an inclusive playground so all children can play together" once every day!

4.      Spread the word!

and

2.      Text to vote - Text* 109738 to Pepsi (73774) to vote from your mobile (standard texting charges apply)

3.      Downloading the Pepsi Refresh Project App for the iPhone or Android and using it to vote.

We hope you'll share the story and link with your readers to help make a difference in our community. Please let us know if you have additional questions?

Best Regards

Tisha Arffa

Kennedy Playground Committee

tisha_arffa@comcast.net

www.kennedyplayground.com

781-389-3767

Bill Glynn - Abraham Bolden

Bill Glynn and Abraham Bolden at the Thomas Mercer Auditorium talking about the JFK assassination on Wednesday 2/25/09






Abraham Bolden, the first African American member of the Secret Service.





You can listen to the recording of his talk here.

FM #32 - Abraham Bolden

In this Franklin Matters podcast, #32 in the series, we get a special presentation. Abraham Bolden, the first African American member of the Secret Service, came to Franklin to tell his life story and involvement with President John F Kennedy.

Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes, 27 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

Music intro
My intro
FM #32

This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 32 in the series.

This session is a special one. On Wednesday evening, February 25, 2009, there was a presentation on the JFK Assassination at the Thomas Mercer Auditorium in the Horace Mann/Oak Street complex. Franklin resident Bill Glynn presented an overview of the events leading up to and around that fateful day, Nov 22, 1963. Abraham Bolden, the first African American member of the Secret Service came to Franklin to tell his story. The opportunity to hear Abraham in person was taken by about 50-60 people of all ages.

Now you can share in that opportunity. What follows is the audio recording of Abraham Bolden's talk. In his voice, you'll hear him tell of growing up in East St Louis, rising from a Pinkerton detective position to the Illinois State Police and from there to the Secret Service. In the Secret Service he met John F Kennedy in Chicago and then also at the White House where Abraham was stationed briefly.

One quote to keep in mind as you settle in for a little over an hour of Abraham's story. From the philosopher, Antonio Gramsci:

“The challenge of modernity is to live without illusions and
without becoming disillusioned.”

I don't think you'll find Abraham's talk long. I found his first person narrative riveting. His direct, honest and religious approach to life comes through. You'll begin to understand how the echoes of Dealey Plaza still reverberate today.

I would like to give special thanks to Bill Glynn and Abraham Bolden for allowing this recording. By sharing in this way, we can continue the discussion.

You can read more about Abraham Bolden and his book, "Echo from Dealey Plaza" here.

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This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music