FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 12 2017
CONTACT:
ANELL CANO, CHRIST IS SALVATION CHURCH, 760-272-7428,
[email protected]
Lucy Nutting, KaBOOM!, 202-464-6195, [email protected]
CHRIST IS SALVATION CHURCH A FINALIST FOR $20,000
PLAYGROUND GRANT FROM DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP
AND NATIONAL NON-PROFIT KaBOOM!
Online Voting June 12-23 Will Determine Winners of National Contest
THERMAL, CA, JUNE 12, 2017 – CHRIST IS SALVATION CHURCH is one of 10 finalists in the
2017 Let’s Play Video Contest, courtesy of Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS) and the national non-profit
KaBOOM!. From June 12 to June 23, community members and play advocates can vote online
for their favorite playground video on facebook.com/letsplay. VOTE FOR CHRIST IS
SALVATION CHURCH, THERMAL, CA. Each of the top five vote-getters will receive a $20,000
grant to purchase new playground equipment. Winners will be announced on June 26.
The grant is part of Let’s Play, an initiative by DPS to provide kids and families with the tools,
places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority. Organizations nationwide submitted
videos illustrating the importance of play for a chance to win one of the five $20,000 grants.
“We believe that this playground will enhance the lives of the children and families of Thermal and
the Eastern Coachella Valley. Our goal is to provide for their entire wellbeing, both spiritually and
physically. This playground will help to accomplish this goal of providing for their entire wellbeing.
Our God brings life into people and this playground will bring health which is life.” Ruben
Martinez, Bishop & Founding Pastor, Christ Is Salvation Church
“We have been serving our community for over 20 years now and it is exciting that together with
your help we can raise funds to build a modern safe playground for the children and youth of our
community. Thermal has no playground and you can help the community voice be heard, this is
a great need and we look forward to your support”. Raymond Cano, Senior Pastor, Christ Is
Salvation Church
Christ Is Salvation Church is a pillar of the community, our mission is to serve and bless the
families of Thermal and the surrounding communities. We need a playground in Thermal
because kids learn better, interact better and are generally healthier when they play outside. It
will take $40,000 to build this playground and we need your help to raise these funds. These
$20,000 are a great first step toward building a safe place for kids to play. We are thankful to our
community who we know will help us to accomplish this goal.
D111r Pepper Snapple has committed more than $35.5 million to Let’s Play through 2019,
impacting youth-serving organizations across the U.S., as well as Canada, Mexico and the
Caribbean. Through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple partners with two non-profit organizations,
KaBOOM! and Good Sports, to build and improve playgrounds in underserved communities and
provide grants for sports equipment. In this way, Dr Pepper Snapple is doing our part to help
eliminate the play deficit by making active play possible for more kids.
Since its launch in 2011, Let’s Play has provided more than 10 million children with more
opportunities to play via safe, accessible playgrounds and sports equipment. Moreover, by 2020
we will have engaged more than 80,000 volunteers from Dr Pepper Snapple, our partners and
our communities in this effort.
Visit Let’s Play at www.LetsPlay.com to join the conversation and learn how to apply for other
available grants to make communities more active and playful.
Christ Is Salvation Church
It is our mission to serve our community. We have been in Thermal for over 20 years and we
desire to love and serve our surrounding community that encompasses the towns of the eastern
Coachella Valley, including Thermal, Mecca, Coachella, Oasis to name a few, these towns are
some of the poorest in the State of California.
Our location provides a minimum of 10 weekly services and meetings which include Childcare,
youth and children’s ministries. We hold weekly Awana Kids Club and Youth Nights, as well
Vacation Bible Schools, Family Fun Festivals 3 times throughout the year where we give out
bikes, toys, and food. We host lunch on Thanksgiving Day where we give turkeys and food
boxes, and we give 1000’s of toys on Christmas Day. Our events are always free. Additionally,
we partner with other organizations to provide food boxes for our community weekly and monthly.
Our church is always available to help families in need.
Currently, Thermal has no playground. The playground and the nearby ball field have been
closed due to construction of new buildings. The plans to develop a park in Thermal have also
been terminated, we feel as the local church we have a responsibility to provide for our
community. Our church is a pillar in our community, people know to come here when they are in
need, kids come to play during services, after school and while their parents pick up food boxes,
and at our free special events.
Our church and outdoor play equipment were built in the 1950’s. Recently upon inspection our
play equipment was deemed unsafe and we had to remove it. We need a safe place where the
kids of our community can be healthy, active and safe.
About Let’s Play
Let’s Play is an initiative by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to provide kids and families with the tools, places and
inspiration to make active play a daily priority. Through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple partners with two nonprofit organizations, KaBOOM! and Good Sports, to build and improve playgrounds in underserved
communities and provide grants for sports equipment. In this way, Dr Pepper Snapple is doing our part to
help eliminate the play deficit by making active play possible for more kids. Since its launch in 2011, Let’s
Play has provided more than 10 million children with more opportunities to play via safe, accessible
playgrounds and sports equipment. For more information, please visit LetsPlay.com or
Facebook.com/LetsPlay.
About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and
the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun
and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2
in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes
7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott's, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose's,
Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based
company, please visit www.DrPepperSnapple.com. For our latest news and updates, follow us at
www.Facebook.com/DrPepperSnapple or www.Twitter.com/DrPepperSnapple.
About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in
America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996,
KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open, or improve more than 16,700 playgrounds,
engaged more than one million volunteers, and served 8.5 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to
play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the
importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters and why cities are
embracing #playability: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or
facebook.com/kaboom.
###