The Sandbox Project aims to improve health outcomes for Canadian children
OTTAWA, September 19th, 2018 - Canada’s leaders are playing in the sandbox to build a healthier generation of Canadians. On Wednesday, Canadian Members of Parliament, NGO’s, families and industry professionals teamed up to build sandcastles at the World’s Largest Sandbox event on Sparks Street in Ottawa. Hosted by The Sandbox Project, the World’s Largest Sandbox event aims to raise awareness of the importance of collaborating and investing in child and youth health issues.
“This annual event honours the work of the individuals and organizations who are working tirelessly to move the dial on Canadian child and youth health outcomes,” said Christine Hampson, President and CEO of The Sandbox Project. “But it’s also about recognizing that we have a long way to go. As a country, we need to work better together to support the health, safety, and well-being of kids in all areas of Canada.”
Playing together in a friendly sandcastle competition were Ottawa elementary school students, representatives of the media, corporate Canada, child and youth health organizations, and Members of Parliament, including Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, MP for Simcoe-Grey and founder of The Sandbox Project. Also spotted in the sandbox were:
Senator Colin Deacon
Kerry Diotte, MP (Edmonton Griesbach)
Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Rosemarie Falk, MP (Battlefords—Lloydminster)
Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia-Lambton)
Hon. Carol Hughes, MP (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing) and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons
Hon. Peter Kent, MP (Thornhill)
Hon. Mike Lake, MP (Edmonton—Wetaskiwin)
John Nater, MP (Perth—Wellington)
Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health
Jati Sidhu, MP (Mission-Matsqui—Fraser Canyon)
David Yurdiga, MP (Fort McMurray—Cold Lake )
The gigantic Sandbox structure was built through in-kind donations and hard-working volunteers from Coco Paving, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America Local 93 and Lafarge. Fruit and yogurt snacks were provided for participating children by McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada.
Supporters of The Sandbox Project include TELUS, the AstraZeneca Young Health Program, Dream Unlimited and 65 King East - A Carttera Development.
Photos of the event are available online by following @SandboxCanada and #OTTsandbox.
About The Sandbox Project
The Sandbox Project is a national registered charity working to improve the health and wellbeing of Canadian children and youth by fostering education, sharing knowledge and resources and developing policy through private-public collaborations. As an umbrella organization, Sandbox provides strategic leadership, facilitates collaboration and drives innovation among like-minded, child-focused organizations within Canada’s child and youth health arena.
For Further Information, please email us. For more pictures of the event, check out our Twitter Moment.