Today’s the day

Today is a big day. Saturday, November 23, 2013 marks the Grand Opening of Aidan’s Playground. After months of planning, fundraising, and organizing volunteers, the community will finally be able to enjoy Aidan’s Playground.

If you are in the area, please join us for today’s celebration at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome!

Aidan’s Playground is located at Castle in the Trees, 300 King Street, Littleton, MA. Visit http://www.castleinthetrees.org for more information.

Thank you to all of you who donated your time, your craft, your support, and your effort to make Aidan’s Playground a beautiful reality.

Thank yous

All of us involved with Aidan’s Playground continue to be touched by the outpouring of community support. Every one of those checks, large and small, bring us closer to our goal of creating a wonderful and lasting tribute to Aidan. With your help we have raised more than $46,000. We are so close to where we need to be to cover the cost of the grading and surfacing and additional equipment like the Soundplay Music Station.

Today we want to say thank you to some of the groups who have most recently made contributions to our efforts.

An enormous thanks to:

Cute as a Buckle – Cute as a Buckle makes handcrafted embellished belt buckles. The designer donated a portion of recent sales.

Little Towne Toys – This Littleton-based toy store donated a portion of proceeds for a day of sales in August.

Lemon Bee Pottery – This maker of functional and sculptural stoneware made necklaces to raise money for Aidan’s Playground.

Blue Hoot Soap – Based in Littleton, Blue Hoot Soap sells handmade soaps, scrubs, and candles. They participated in Littleton’s 3rd Thursday event in August and donated a portion of their sales.

Haven Lotions – Haven donated proceeds from the sale of their S*Lime Aloe Gel.

CoolStringz – CoolStringz created ladybug-inspired paracord bracelets and donated a portion of the proceeds to the playground.

Happy Bands – Happy Bands created fabric headbands with a ladybug pattern to support Aidan’s Playground.

 

 

BB Kidz Fundraiser – Wed., July 17!

The kids are out of school and parents are looking for fun things to do with them. Here’s a chance to entertain your kids while also helping Aidan’s Playground.

On Wednesday, July 17, head on over to Westford’s newest indoor playground, BB Kidz Klub at 364 Littleton Road for some climbing and jumping fun. 20% of each child’s ticket will go to the playground project. Tickets are $10 each (free for adults and for children 10 months and under). Come on over any time between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Never been to BB Kidz? You’ll find:

• An Infant/Toddler area complete with train table, books, doll house, Duplo block stations, kitchen set, various infant and toddler toys, and more
• A giant 20 ft inflatable slide, 15ft x 25 ft jumpy house/combo, and 12ft X 30 ft obstacle course
• A huge 25ft x 18ft and 3 levels high – Indoor Soft climbing Castle
• Air Hockey
• (2) Street Basketball Arcade Machines
• Lego Station and a super big connect 4 game
• Indoor track for swing cars
• Complimentary Coffee & Adult Seating Area

You’ll find more info on their website, including a photo gallery. (Please note that socks are required and that the facility is peanut and tree nut-free.)

We hope you’ll join us for some fun to support Aidan’s Playground!

The Help Continues: 31, Not Your Average Joe’s, Concert!

Summer is when you always need extra totes and bags. Check out Thirty-One and help Aidan’s Playground.

Thirty-one consultant Becky Scenabaugh is running a Thirty-One online party for Kate Small. 15% of all sales will go to Aidan’s Playground! But you only have 24-hours to order so go check it out right now: https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E3301381&from=MYEVENTS&verify=true Becky also said she’d make the same offer to others who wish to host a party to benefit Aidan’s Playground.

Ready for a break from cooking? For the next two Wednesdays why don’t you visit Not Your Average Joe’s in Acton. Bring this flyer: http://castleinthetrees.org/uploads/NYACauseCertificate-LittletonChildrens_Fund_Castle_in_the_trees_Update.pdf and they’ll give 15% of your order to Aidan’s Playground. Go for lunch or dinner or even get takeout. It’s all included. Just make sure to mention Aidan!

On Saturday, June 22 from 3:30-4:15 there will be a great family concert at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford by Karen K and the Jitterbugs. Based out of Brooklyn, NY and Boston, Karen K and her band will be rocking the house. This concert is ideal for families with kids ages 9 and under. The concert is a benefit for the playground. You can purchase your tickets here: https://www.ticketriver.com/event/7322

AND FINALLY, a BIG thank you to Pastiche Salon and Day Spa at 40 Montvale Ave. in Woburn who has been collecting donations from their customers for Aidan’s Playground. We are very grateful for your generosity and support. Aidan’s grandparents have been customers for years and this was a lovely tribute. So, show Pastiche a little love and make an appointment for yourself! Call them at 781-933-1866.

 

 

So very much togetherness…

It’s inspiring and amazing to see all the Together We Build projects coming together. We’ve finally arrived at the big days – tonight our event with Peter Walsh and tomorrow’s enormous sale at Westford’s Abbot School. (Not to mention this morning’s Itsy Bitsy yoga class being offered by Alissa Nicol. Thanks Alissa!)

Here are a few of the projects/opportunities you have to support Together We Build and Aidan’s Playground:

 

TONIGHT – AT THE PETER WALSH EVENT

If you’re attending tonight’s Peter Walsh event at Mangia Mangia, make sure you buy some raffle tickets. There will be prizes from many local businesses including Westford Regency, Elements Therapeutic Massage, The Little Gym of Littleton, Acton Toyota, Wachusett Mountain, Massachusetts Audubon, Gibbet Hill Grill, Idylwilde Farms, Mangia Mangia, The Butterfly Place, Premier Cleaners, Pethingz, The Salon at 142, The Whole Body Spa and Five Guys Restaurant.

 

SATURDAY’S SALE

The first and best way to support Aidan’s Playground on Saturday – ATTEND THE SALE! It begins at 7:00 a.m. at the Abbot School in Westford.

7:00 a.m. Early Bird Admission – $20 to get in pre-sale

8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  The big sale – free admission

* Yard sale – More than 30 tables of clothing, housewares, tools, sporting goods, toys, and more. We’ll also have children’s playhouses, ride-on toys, and other large goods.

* Silent auction from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Signed Patriots picture and Red Sox baseball, Philosophy makeup basket, BB Kidz Klub passes, 10 year subscription to O Magazine, condo rental in Stowe and more!

* The raffle continues. Drawings all day!

* Bake sale – Buy some yummy items including cupcakes from Laura Beltrami at The Cupcake Cottage. (Thanks Laura for being part of Together We Build!)

* Other food – Coffee and doughnuts will be for sale in the morning. Stonyfield Yogurt will be there from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Flatbread Pizza will be selling pizza from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

* Together We Build – TWB will be at the raffle table. Come by to drop off money from a project you’ve done or to sign up to talk to someone about planning your own project. We’ll also be selling books written by a local 8-year-old who wanted to help. (They’re $5 each.) His sister will have paper butterflies for sale too. (25 cents each.)

 

Let’s make this the biggest event the area’s seen, all to support an amazing cause and to show a local family that Aidan will not be forgotten.

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS!

There are so many great events coming up and we wouldn’t want you to miss any of them! Here’s a roundup of ways to help in the next two weeks:

TONIGHT – FRIDAY, May 24

Grand Opening of BB Kidz Klub

364 Littleton Rd., Westford

 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Join them to celebrate the opening of their new indoor playspace. They’ll be holding a raffle and asking for donations to Aidan’s Playground in lieu of paying for tickets. The event is FREE!

Read more at https://togetherforaidan.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/bbkidz/

 

WEDNESDAY, May 29

Dining for a Cause at the 99 Restaurant

333 Littleton Road, Westford

5:00 – 10:00 p.m.

On Wednesday evening, the Ninety Nine Restaurant will donate 15% of sales to Aidan’s Playground. You must present a voucher for us to benefit. You can find the voucher here: Aidan Benefit at 99

 

 

FRIDAY, May 31

Itsy Bitsy Yoga with Alissa Nicol

First Church Unitarian, 19 Foster Street, Littleton

9:30 a.m.

On Friday morning, Alissa will be offering an Itsy Bitsy Yoga class for children ages 1-4 with an adult caregiver. Register at alissa.nicol@verizon.net by Monday, May 27. Class fee is a minimum donation of $10. All proceeds will benefit Aidan’s Playground.

Read more at https://togetherforaidan.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/yoga/

 

FRIDAY, May 31

An Evening with Peter Walsh

Mangia Mangia Italian Grille, 142 Littleton Road (2nd Floor function room), Westford

7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Join professional organizing dynamo Peter Walsh—star of TLC’s Clean Sweep and OWN’s Extreme Clutter, not to mention a regular on The Rachael Ray Show and a columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine– for a small, intimate talk and reception. Peter will share valuable spring de-cluttering tips and answer questions. Afterwards,he’ll join us for hors d’oeurves, a cash bar, and to mingle! He’ll also be available for photos and to sign copies of his book, It’s All Too Much. Tickets are $50 and his book is available for purchase when you register.

Tickets are limited. Get them while you can!:

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e7h84pgfd544c3fc&llr=l4nij7mab

 

SATURDAY, June 1

De-Clutter for a Cause with O, The Oprah Magazine and Peter Walsh

Abbot School, 25 Depot St., Westford

8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Early bird entrance at 7 a.m. with a $20 donation!)

Join us for an unforgettable yard sale. More than 30 tables of clothing, housewares, tools and more as well as children’s toys large and small. Peter Walsh will be joining the festivities and there will be a bake sale, silent auction, and raffles all day. Raffle and auction items will include tickets to a New England Revolution soccer game, restaurant gift certificates, StoryLand passes, sports memorabilia and more! Come discover some amazing treasures.

 

Ongoing – From now until June 1!

RAFFLE!

Tickets will be available at Littleton Sub Shoppe, at the Peter Walsh event, and at the yard sale.

Raffle winners will be drawn at the yard sale on June 1. You do not need to be present to win.

Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 15 for $10.

New items are arriving every day. Visit http://castleinthetrees.org/DeClutter_for_a_Cause.html  for an updated list. Some of the items currently included are: 4 NE Revolution soccer tix; gift certificates to Gibbet Hill Grill, Bertucci’s, Costco, and Butterfly Place; Wachusett lift tickets; sports memorabilia; auto detailing; StoryLand passes; and a cookbook autographed by Paula Deen.

BBKidz Klub Grand Opening – Friday, May 24

It’s not often that a business is willing to commit themselves to becoming a sponsor for a charity event before it has even opened, but that’s exactly what happened with BB Kidz Klub.

Amy Herrick was in the process of building out a new indoor play space at 364 Littleton Road in Westford when the Together We Build chairperson, Katrina, asked if she’d be willing to get involved. There was no hesitation. BBKidz is now one of our Bronze Sponsors.

This Friday, May 24 from from 6 – 9 p.m., the business will be having their official grand opening party. Families can check out the indoor playground and enjoy face painting, refreshments, and more. As part of the evening they will be holding raffles. Instead of charging people for raffle tickets, they will be asking for donations to Aidan’s Playground.

You can find out more about BB Kidz Klub at www.bbkidzklub.com and we hope you’ll help them support Aidan’s Playground!

Does YOUR business want to help? Learn how to become a sponsor by clicking here or contact us with your creative fundraising ideas at castleinthetrees(at)hotmail.com.

Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Aidan – Friday, May 31

YOGA FOR AIDAN!

On Friday, May 31 at 9:30 a.m., Itsy Bitsy Yoga instructor Alissa Nicol will be offering a special class to benefit Aidan’s Playground. The Itsy Bitsy Yoga program is for children ages 1-4 with an adult caregiver.

The class will be held at First Church Unitarian, 19 Foster Street, Littleton.

Advance registration is required. A minimum donation of $10 per adult/child pair is requested but it’s all for Aidan, so give more if you can! 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Aidan’s Playground.

Please register no later than Monday, May 27^th with an email to alissa.nicol@verizon.net.

Thank you to Alissa for organizing this program and to First Church Unitarian for donating the space.

Creating Art from Found Objects

ART FOR A GOOD CAUSE

We have some extraordinarily talented people here in our communities. I never cease to be amazed by the work that people do when they’re home at night, projects that some of us may never see. Fortunately for us, one Westford resident has chosen to share her beautiful art to help Aidan’s Playground.

Christine Dunn-Benson has taken an old table and transformed it into a spectacular painted piece of art entitled “Savannah Found.” We are sharing with you a photo of the top of the table. To see the rest of the table, you’ll have to visit the Westford Regional Art Event this weekend. Viewing hours are THIS WEEKEND, Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Parish Center for the Arts.

The table is available for sale at the show for $225 and proceeds will benefit Aidan’s Playground.

Thank you to Fat Moon and Littleton Sub Shop

Aidan’s cousins enjoyed the face painting at Fat Moon Farm!

One of the most powerful parts of being involved with Aidan’s Playground is seeing the ways, big and small, that people are helping. There are all those individuals who, in only a couple of weeks, managed to fill two storage units with items for the June 1 yard sale. There are the fabulous volunteers who have been sorting clothes, making phone calls, and finding sponsors. There are the businesses calling with offers of help and raffle prizes and there are the moments when we can come together, having fun while raising money like at the Steve Blunt concert in March and now the Spring Fling event at Fat Moon.

FAT MOON

Last Saturday, under cloudy skies, families gathered at Fat Moon for a fun morning of music, visiting animals, face painting, and more. It was a great time for those that attended and Fat Moon was generous enough to donate $5 for every ticket that we sold through the Aidan’s Playground website.

Music with Miss Bernadette

But there was more. The very generous Miss Bernadette donated her fee for the day to the playground project as well. We were incredibly touched by the gesture. If you see her at one of her many music classes or any of the hundreds of activities she volunteers for, please say thank you. It is these moments of kindness that make us feel particularly gratified.

LITTLETON SUB SHOPPE

The Fat Moon event was one of two events last week. In addition, Littleton Sub Shoppe ran a donation night for us. 20% of the food sales were donated to Aidan’s Playground AND the staff contributed their tips. The daylong event raised $1,145! We couldn’t be happier. Thank you to all who came out to support the project and thanks to Littleton Sub Shoppe and their generous staff.

UPCOMING

There are many ways coming up that you can get involved in the project — from buying raffle tickets at the Apple Blossom parade to supporting Together We Build projects to coming down to our HUGE June 1 yard sale. If you have items to donate for the yard sale, there is information available here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/aidans-playground/donating-items/512676645455148

Also, tickets have just gone on sale for the Friday, May 31 Meet-and-Greet with Peter Walsh, host of TLC’s Clean Sweep, here in Westford. You can find info and buy your tickets here: https://www.facebook.com/events/515523818511484/?ref=22

In the next few days I’ll also share information about two new Together We Build projects — a family yoga event and a stunning piece of art that will be available for sale at the Westford Regional Art Event this weekend. Stay tuned!