Southwest Human Development’s Thrive to Five Playfest: An Outdoor Day of Play
Presented by The Arizona Coyotes
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Southwest Human Development’s annual fundraising event on February 25, 2023, in Tempe offers rewarding play, creative expression, and immersive literacy experiences for children ages birth to five and their families.
Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development is hosting an outdoor day of play for young children and their families in Tempe at the SRP PERA Club on February 25, 2023, from 10 am to 2 pm. Southwest Human Development’s annual fundraising event is sponsored by the Arizona Coyotes and is free for children up to the age of 18 and $10 for adults. Registration is required to attend and can be completed online starting January 6, 2023, at www.swhd.org/playfest.
As one of the nation’s foremost experts in early childhood development, Southwest Human Development knows how to throw a party that will engage children and re-energize parents. Activities include yard games, interactive literacy experiences with age-appropriate free books for every child, sensory stations, special guest appearances by Howler of the Arizona Coyotes, art projects, stage performances, free community resources, and much more. Launched in 2022, Thrive to 5 Playfest welcomed more than 700 children and families and raised just over $120,000 in its first year.
“Thrive to 5 Playfest is an opportunity for parents and children to engage with their world through rewarding play, creative expression and immersive literacy experiences,” said Louann Phillips, Southwest Human Development’s special events manager. “And thanks to the generous contributions of our community partners such as the Arizona Coyotes, Lockton, Fry’s Food Stores, Delta Dental, and many others, we will offer free admission to any family that makes that request. It’s all part of our vision to create positive futures for every child.”
Thrive to 5 Playfest will also be the first opportunity for the community to meet Southwest Human Development’s newest Ambassador families. Ambassadors are recommended by the agency’s early childhood experts. These families share their experiences so that others in the community can learn about the breadth of services that the nonprofit provides. This year’s Ambassadors share inspiring stories about their experiences with the nonprofit’s feeding therapy, adaptive equipment, and Autism diagnosis and services.
For more information about Thrive to Five Playfest, visit www.swhd.org/playfest.
About Southwest Human Development
Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. Recognizing a child’s earliest experiences and relationships establish the foundation for all future development, Southwest Human Development’s more than 40 comprehensive programs focus on young children—ages birth to 5—and their families in the areas of child development, mental health, Easterseals disabilities services, Head Start, early literacy, family support and child welfare, and professional development and training. Founded in 1981, Southwest Human Development serves 140,000 children and families each year. Learn more at www.swhd.org.
