Everyone's Playground

03/15/2024

Friends ~ it is with profound sadness we have to announce the loss of our wonderful friend, Andy Russell. 😢

Andy Russell and his wife, Cindy, played such a pivotal role in the creation of Everyone’s Playground.

Andy's many achievements spanned from the football field to the boardroom and beyond.

Our message to Andy: “True leaders are not those who strive to be first but those who are first to strive and who give their all for the success of the team. True leaders are first to see the need, envision the plan, and empower the team for action. By the strength of the leader’s commitment, the power of the team is unleashed.”

Thank you, Andy. Rest well. 🙏

ANDY RUSSELL passed away. This is the full obituary where you can express condolences and share memories. Published in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on 2024-03-04.

10/16/2023

‼️🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS! ‼️🗓️
Bring the family for a day of fun! 🛝 Celebrate our Ribbon Cutting on Saturday, October 28th at 10:30am followed by a Kids Celebration Picnic!
🚨MUST REGISTER ALL FAMILY MEMBERS: https://forms.gle/ischF9TuxJYx4q4aA
Only 200 tickets available so register TODAY to reserve your spots! 😄

09/11/2023

🚧✨Great News ✨🚧 Happy Monday Everyone! If you have recently stopped by the Playground, you might have noticed some big changes happening. Our Comfort Station project is finally underway!! 🎉 After many long months of delays and various challenges, the ground has officially been broken for construction. We anticipate completion by late Fall 🍁 Stayed tuned for the official ribbon cutting!
The Comfort Station is located next to the playground near the picnic pavilion and will provide an ADA compliant facility to accommodate those with special needs, disabilities and cognitive challenges.

02/13/2023

• SELINSGROVE ROTARY CLUB SUPPORTS EVERYONE’S PLAYGROUND COMFORT STATION FUND DRIVE• Selinsgrove Rotary

A $5000 contribution from the proceeds of the recent 29th annual Selinsgrove Rotary Club Charity Golf Tournament has been donated to the current Everyone’s Playground Comfort Station fund drive it was announced by Gary Gonsar, Tournament Chairman.

“Since the inception of Everyone’s Playground was first announced the Selinsgrove Rotary Club has taken an active role, both through volunteer involvement and financial support, in advocating for the project and helping make possible a safe play space for those with special needs, disabilities, and cognitive challenges. Now, with the addition of an ADA compliant comfort/changing station adjacent to the playground, the site becomes even more attractive and convenient for those visiting the specially designed recreational complex” Gonsar said.

Former PA State Representative, Russ Fairchild, Vice Chair of the Andy Russell Charitable Foundation Central Pennsylvania Advisory Council, the non profit organization spearheading the fund drive, noted the comfort station integrates Green design features within all construction compliances and disciplines. “The interior will maximize natural lighting; acquire locally sourced materials from area vendors that promote Green and sustainable practices, as well as the incorporation of energy conservation on all levels” Fairchild commented.

“With the addition of a comfort station, which is an additional unique and essential community resource, the playground becomes even more beneficial for those with special needs and the Selinsgrove Rotary Club and members are proud to be associated with, and champions of, such a worthwhile project and encourage others to join in supporting the project” Gonsar concluded.

02/03/2023

WEIKEL BUSSING CONTRIBUTES FUNDS TO SUPPORT EVERYONE’S PLAYGROUND COMFORT STATION BUILDING PROJECT — Weikel Busing, LLC

Lisa Weikel, President/Owner, Weikel Bussing of Selinsgrove, presented Gary Sojka, former Bucknell University President and an Honorary Chair of the Everyone’s Playground Advisory Council, and Fritz M. Heinemann, President, Andy Russell Charitable Foundation Central PA Region, a $3400 contribution to support the current Comfort Station building project scheduled to bel completed in the Spring. The facility, according to Dr. Sojka, will be constructed within walking distance of the playground and next to a family friendly picnic pavilion, fresh drinking water, and located within the existing East Snyder Recreation Complex on University Avenue in Selinsgrove.

The comfort station will accommodate two individuals in separate spaces and, as may be necessary, caregivers or other helpers. Electronic changing stations for both children and adults will be included along with specialized soap and sanitized hand washing sinks, hand dryers, refrigerated water bottle fillers and other environmentally friendly components.

“The comfort station is ADA compliant and will be a wonderful addition to Everyone’s Playground which will further enhance the safe playing space for those with special needs and other disabilities” said Dr. Sojka. “The generous donation of Lisa and Weikel Bussing further ensure the comfort station will be an important addition to what has already become a destination point for families throughout the greater Susquehanna Valley region as well as other states” Sojka commented.

“Everyone’s Playground is one of our priority charities” said Ms. Weikel “and since its inception we’ve been involved and are pleased, not only on behalf of our company but our 150 employees, to continue our support and financial assistance. We sponsored the landscaping around the entrance to the playground and are now happy to be part of the comfort station project as well. We are especially committed to helping those with special needs, other challenging cognitive and physical disabilities, and we hope our example will inspire others to also financially support Everyone’s Playground.”

The Andy Russell Charitable Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) officially organized and recognized non profit charity founded by former NFL Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker and his wife, Cindy, to focus on children’s causes, Veterans services, hunger issues and no-kill animal shelters. Contributions may be made through the Everyone’s Playground GoFundMe page or by mailing to 71 Peach Tree Road, Selinsgrove, PA 17870.

04/22/2022

Thank you, W&L Subaru!

04/22/2022

🌎 🌲 ❤️

We're celebrating Earth Day by lending a hand at Everyone's Playground! 🌎

We'll be helping to plant trees and other plants as well as cleaning up to make the area ready for visitors. Learn more about Subaru Loves the Earth on our website - wandlsubaru.com!

04/21/2022

To benefit the current Everyone's Playground Comfort Station fund drive, local realtor, Art Bowen, has re-donated an official Taste of the NFL helmet to be raffled. 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟯 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 @$𝟱𝟬 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵!

For tickets, contact:
Fritz Heinemann
570-428-5411
[email protected]

To learn more about Everyone's Playground, visit everyonesplayground.com.

12/28/2021

The construction of fully accessible restrooms should take place early in 2022, according to the people behind the Everyone's Playground near Selinsgrove. Local businesses including W & L Subaru assisted with the fundraising efforts.

https://www.wkok.com/comfort-station-coming-soon-to-everyones-playground/