Winter 2013 Phone: 954-420-5030
Fax: 954-420-5034
www.sosflorida.com
Giving our Kids the Gift of Play One of the greatest gifts a friend of SOS can give our boys and girls is the chance to be a kid again. Childhood should be a happy time. A time for fun, laughter and learning. Our children haven’t always had that wonderful experience in their short lives. But then they join our family. Recreation and activities are just as important to our children’s lives as food and shelter. Creating a place to play on our SOS campus has been an important dream for many at the Village, including SOS Board Member Kristina Stein, who spearheaded an effort to build our very own playground. This fall, that dream was made a reality as volunteers from Barry University, Coastal Community Church, FAU, FIU, Florida Campus Compact, Miami Dade College, Palm Beach State College, Tijanua Flats Just In Queso Foundation and the University of Miami came together to build a “natural” playground on our Village cul de sac. Sponsored by the Austrian-American Council North America, Alice Schonberg and Kristina and her friends, the new play areas include a tower to climb and play on, musical elements, a therapeutic labyrinth, fitness stations such as a balance log and post walk, and several areas to sit, talk and visit with friends, staff and family.
What Our Kids Are Doing Now?
The natural elements blend seamlessly with our lush Village surroundings and epitomize the green city we live in. Our children are already enjoying this new addition to our campus and we can’t wait to share it with you the next time you visit.
Chris during his first week on the USF campus in 2010.
Chris G grew up at SOS with a brother and two sisters. The first of his family to graduate in 2010, this Horatio Alger Scholarship winner moved to Tampa to attend USF. He currently carries a 3.4 GPA and is graduating this May with a degree in engineering. Keeping family ties is important to Chris and he continues to return to south Florida to visit his siblings.