As one of this summer’s hottest movie flicks might lead you to believe, being Superman is any child’s true fantasy. However, the Chiefs are challenging that conventional wisdom. After all, who can argue that Wednesday’s event wasn’t a dream come true for any of the kids present? Could anyone honestly tell you that these children weren’t flat out giddy at the chance to design and build a playground right in their own neighborhood with the help of a local gridiron guru?

Instead of a red cape and skin-tight blue tights, the children from the East Side Unit of the Boys & Girls Club joined together with more loosely clad member of the Kansas City Chiefs, LB Derrick Johnson. “DJ,” as his teammates call him, teamed with his friends at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and KaBOOM! to bring this dream to life for these kids.

The main item on the docket today included Johnson meeting with 50 local kids at the Club to discuss the features they wanted in their new playground. Scheduled to be constructed later this fall at the site of the future East Side Unit site, the kids spent time drawing pictures and sharing what elements they thought were important to include in their future playground.

“Swings!” one little girl shouted. “A Swirly Slide!” screamed another. The children came to agree on certain things and debated over others,. And even though the inclusion of an elevator and hot tub wasn’t in the budget, everyone knew that this experience would be one they would never forget.

“I just love being a part of this whole process” said Johnson. “It’s great for the kids to take ownership in the playground by participating in the design process.” In his efforts to promote urban reconstruction for youths, Johnson has partnered with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, KaBOOM! and members of the Boys & Girls Club for this project. It will conclude with a one-day playground build, giving these children a new safe place to play.

Johnson’s King of the Field Foundation was recently founded and seeks to provide opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential. This project will enable Derrick to aid in the redevelopment of an urban area, allowing youth a safe and healthy option to exercise.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a Fortune 500 financial services organization helping nearly 2.9 million members achieve their financial goals. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a wide range of financial solutions and have $62.4 billion in assets under management. Thrivent Financial, a not-for-profit organization, and its members provide approximately $200 million annually for outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and needy individuals.

Celebrating its ten year anniversary in 2006, KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Over the past decade, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct nearly 1,000 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including a web portal and online community, regional and national trainings, grants and publications for communities that wish to plan a new playspace on their own. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago, Atlanta and San Mateo, CA.

Founded in 1912, the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City is to promote the development of self-esteem, values and skills for boys and girls, ages 5-18, with special emphasis on youth from disadvantaged circumstances. Programs include reading and computer literacy; drug, alcohol and violence prevention; cultural and performing arts; and recreational programming. The Clubs are also home to programs such as RIF (Reading is Fundamental), and RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner City). The Clubs look to serve nearly 10,000 youth in Kansas City in 2006.

-THE CHIEFS WAY, JOIN OUR TEAM-