[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 73 (Monday, April 29, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE CARYVILLE CARES PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                 HON. CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 29, 2024

  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Caryville 
Cares Playground project in Caryville, TN, and recognize the community 
that has supported it.
  In Campbell County, TN, roughly one in five people under the age of 
65 years old have a disability according to the US Census, nearly 
double the national average, yet no playground in the community was 
considered inclusive for those with different needs and abilities.
  The Caryville Cares Playground is an inclusive playground, where 
children of all different ability levels would have the opportunity to 
play together. Inclusive playgrounds like this are the start of healthy 
friendships that can last a lifetime and are places where children of 
all levels of ability are able to experience the joy of outdoor play.
  The playground was designed with seven main principles in mind to be 
fair; be free; be included; be smart; be independent; be safe; be 
active; and be comfortable. The seven principles guided every step of 
the planning, construction, and implementation for this project.
  The groups that initiated this project spearheaded fundraising, 
applied for grants, and solicited donations and support from the 
Caryville community. Their efforts included dinners, auctions, 
roadblocks, and even a local ``Dancing with the Stars''-styled event. 
They successfully raised more than a half million dollars in both cash 
and in-kind donations.
  After two years of hard work by the team, the playground was fully 
funded. On April 26, 2024, the gates to the Caryville Cares Playground 
opened for the first time. Every child in the community will finally 
have a place to play, thanks to the dedication of the Caryville Cares 
organizing committee and the incredible generosity of the local 
community.
  It is my pleasure to recognize the community team that took on this 
important and worthwhile undertaking. The group includes Mr. Brandon 
Johnson, who served as its president, along with fellow members Mrs. 
Cheyenne Allen, Mrs. Tayler Franke, Mr. Landyn Ford, Mr. Joe Goins, Mr. 
Blake Gray, Mrs. Tara Lee Gillespie, Mrs. Kristin Long, Mr. Joshua 
McDowell, Mrs. Autumn Longmire, Mrs. Ali Dower Miracle, Mrs. Ashley 
Whited, Mrs. Brandy Nelson, Mr. Micah Nelson, Mrs. Sara Padgett, Mr. 
Patrick Pebley, Mrs. Kaylee Queener, Mrs. Raewyn Snodderly, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Tamer, Mrs. Emily Tamer, Mrs. Katy Winter Vincent, Mrs. Ally 
Winter, Mr. Kevin Winter, and Mrs. Saarah Young.

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