United Way, GMC and Dozens of Volunteers Install Equipment at Lynn Playground

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE PLAYGROUND BUILD

Volunteers from the Lynn community joined United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and GMC to install new equipment at Lynn's Kiley Playground. The event was part of GMC's second annual national Monday Night Football Tour.

As part of the tour, GMC is teaming up with United Way volunteers, including NFL players, to build playgrounds in local communities as part of United Way's nationwide effort to get 1.9 million more kids active and healthy by 2018. Now in its 38th year, the NFL-United Way partnership connects NFL PLAY 60 with United Way's goal to increase youth health and wellness. Studies show the obesity rate among children has nearly doubled in the last 10 years, with approximately 9 million American children over six years old considered obese and at high risk for health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

The United Way Healthy Kids Zones-Driven by GMC will offer children the opportunity to climb, build upper body strength, promote balance and agility, and develop strength and endurance. The playground equipment, paid for by GMC and supplied by GameTime, is designed to help children develop active, healthy bodies, as well as personal and social skills.

The event kicked off at 8am with remarks at 11am from Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy and representatives from United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and the East Lynn Community Association. The playground equipment requires several days to settle before being available for public use.