Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 1
For the past 4 years, Hope Helps and the families we serve have been dreaming of building a special needs, sensory
playground within our servicing community--a safe and fun place for all kids; regardless of ability; to play and families
to gather! This dream includes a place to play for physically or neurologically disabled children of all ages within their
spectrum of abilities; from wheelchair accessible teeter totters, sensory wall and dome, high backed swings with
harnesses, assisted zip line, boogie boards and more, along side of two traditional play structures. Keeping our
special needs community inclusive within a neuro typical crowd.
Hope Helps has been working hard to raise funds for this project but we have a long way to go!! We need your
financial help to make this dream a reality!! This community project has a price tag of nearly $300,000!! This amount
includes all the aforementioned equipment, community build weekend as well as a pulverized rubber ground
covering; creating a flat surface suitable for wheelchairs, walkers and other needs to be able to join in on the fun!
We are looking for a sponsorship, not a handout! When we offer you the opportunity to be a sponsor with our
organization, we are offering more than a place to hang your corporate logo. We will work with you to fully maximize
all the community goodwill such a project can generate. Every press release, every interview, and every event is
another opportunity for us to show our sincere gratitude to those who are willing to help us make this dream come
true.
We have prepared a complete sponsorship package that includes a list of suggested donation amounts and various
ways in which we can provide recognition. However, you are encouraged to tailor donation amounts and recognition
levels to your own needs. Be creative! Tell us how we can best fulfill your needs and earn your sponsorship!
Please join us and help bring to life this custom playground for our special needs community in Coal City as well as
those traveling within our servicing community of Will and Grundy counties.
Community-built projects inspire everyone who participates with a sense of ownership, so much so, that these
projects become a focus of community life. People describe them as the experience of a lifetime. Families who
helped build the playground will return for picnics and bring out-of-town guests to share what the community
accomplished together.
Please consider making this important investment in our future. A playground provides a safe and challenging place
for children and our community to learn and grow! Because you’re donating to Hope Helps, your contribution is tax
deductible 45-0979408 and tax deduction receipts will be given for your records.
Once again, Thank you for supporting our community. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at
815-518-5341 or brittneykaluzny@gmail.com. For more information on our organization and more playground
designs, please visit www.hopehelpsautismawareness.org.
Attached you will find our grant proposal with all required documentation and information you may
require to make a decision.
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 2
Who is Hope Helps: Hope Helps is comprised of 3 main officers and 6 board of directors (listed below).
We serve Will and Grundy county; offering scholarships, advocacy assistance, and awareness. We hold
fundraisers throughout the year to raise funds to offer scholarships to those on the spectrum in need of
equipment to assist them in their everyday lives. We also advocate at schools for IEP meetings, speak at
local support group meetings and offer daily assistance/advice if needed. We currently have a group of
over 150 followers on facebook who are active participants in our fundraisers and 'clients' for IEP cases.
Due to the fact that we are non-profit and rely on donations to sustain our organization, our budget
varies year to year. What money we raise each year, we return to the autism community through
scholarships, advocacy, awareness and now playground.
BRITTNEY KALUZNY; FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
NANCY WYNN; VICE PRESIDENT & EVENT COORDINATOR
ROBERT KALUZNY; SECRETARY/TREASURER/CO-FOUNDER
GEORGE KALUZNY; DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE
KIM WYNN; DIRECTOR OF SCHOLARSHIPS
JENNIFER SPERO; DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
LAURA CONNOR; DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
SIGNE THOMAS; DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
TIFFANY KALUZNY; ALTERNATE DIRECTOR
Description of Project: Hope Helps would like to build a 10,000 square foot all-inclusive, special needs
sensory playground in Coal City, IL located within Grundy county. The purpose of this playground is so
that individuals of all ability levels have a safe and inclusive place to play and receive adequate
recreation with a secondary purpose being awareness and acceptance of all ability levels.
This facility will contain a main play structure which includes multiple slides, climbers and tunnels as well
as sensory components throughout including a bell station, bongos, periscope and zoo station. Along
side of the main structure, there will be multiple ADA (American Disability Act) Certified free standing
pieces of equipment including Sway Fun, Zip Krooze Assisted, High Backed and Harnessed Swings,
Sensory Wall and Pulse Sensory Game. Along with all the equipment, the play facility will be housed on a
pulverized rubber surfacing so that wheelchairs, walkers or individuals with poor mobility may access
play equipment safely and easily. The facility will be fenced in to enhance safety for all as well as
housing a few handicap parking places and extra wide sidewalks leading directly to the playground.
Hope Helps will be donating this equipment to the Village of Coal City and the Village will maintain the
equipment, carry insurance and provide electricity and water to facility. Hope Helps would like to have
the playground in the construction phase in April 2015.
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 3
How will this project benefit the our Community?: With over 300 kids age 0-3 found within the Early
Intervention program in Grundy County and over 500 kids in Will County, there is a definite need for
modified play space. These numbers only include ages 0-3 and our facility is for all ages. Hope Helps is
well aware of need for a special needs play facility in our area as the closest to Grundy County is found
in Joliet fenced in behind a private facility. There are 2 in Danville, IL and a few in Cook county as well as
a few single pieces mixed amongst typical equipment but usually on mulch. Therefore, building a special
needs facility that is accessible to all abilities is vital to show that Grundy county is a community that
cares and accepts all people. It allows primal opportunity to spread the word that Grundy county is a
community for all people to live and play. This facility will also bring visitors to our community,
increasing awareness of our county as well as increasing sales for the local community. Communitybuilt projects inspire everyone who participates with a sense of ownership, so much so, that these
projects become a focus of community life. People describe them as the experience of a lifetime.
Families who helped build the playground will return for picnics and bring out-of-town guests to share
what the community accomplished together.
November 2013 Prepared by Easter Seals, Inc.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Table 1-1: IDEA Part B - Children with Autism in Illinois for 1999-2000 and 2011-2012
(Child Count by Age
2011-2012
Group) 1999-2000
641
1,759
Age 3-5
2,545
8,029
Age 6-11
947
6,631
Age 12-17
197
1,484
Age 18-21
3,689
16,144
Age 6-21
4,330
17,903
Age 3-21
Table 1-2: IDEA Part B - Children with Disabilities in Illinois for 1999-2000 and 2011-2012
(Child Count by Age
2011-2012
Group) 1999-2000
28,787
36,943
Age 3-5
133,378
117,718
Age 6-11
123,364
121,937
Age 12-17
11,787
16,358
Age 18-21
268,529
256,013
Age 6-21
297,316
292,956
Age 3-21
How much will this project cost? The proposed budget is nearly $300,000! Below you will find the
breakdown of costs for equipment and ground covering. We also need to include costs for proper
instillation which includes equipment rental (auger, small cement mixer and hiring site manager each
day), food and beverage for volunteer builders, permanent signage for facility.
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 4
QTY.
NO.
1
1
1
144414A
123331B
123333B
1
1
1
124863E
143199B
176078A
1
1
122533C
116246D
1
2
139778A
152443A
1
119930B
1
3
119641A
111240A
1
1
1
164094B
117957A
116244A
1
116244B
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
4
9
4
4
3
159459B
115254A
130565A
114649A
122197A
178710A
121948A
111228A
111231A
111404E
111404D
111404C
111404B
111404A
DESCRIPTION
PlayBooster Component
System
Cloudburst Triple Slide 72"Dk
DB1
Double Poly Slide 40"Dk DB
Rollerslide 56"Dk DB
SlideWinder2 64"Dk DB 2
Right 1 Left
Conical Climber 40"Dk DB
Lollipop Climber 48"Dk DB
Spiral Climber 56"Dk Right
Handhold
Step Ladder 64"Dk DB
Thunderhead Climber Alum
Posts DB1
Grid Walk w/Barriers
Offset Crawl Tunnel 8"Offset
Deck To Deck
Wire Crawl Tunnel Above
Deck
Balcony Deck
Bongo Reach Panel Ground
Level
Periscope Panel Above Deck
Pipe Barrier Above Deck
Pipe Barrier w/Wheel Above
Deck
Ring-A-Bell Panel Ground
Level
Storefront Panel
Table Panel DB
Zoo Infill Panel
90* Triangular Tenderdeck
Hexagon Tenderdeck
Kick Plate 8"Rise
Square Tenderdeck
Triangular Tenderdeck
116"Alum Post DB
124"Alum Post DB
132"Alum Post DB
140"Alum Post DB
148"Alum Post DB
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
UNIT
PRICE
PRICE
$3,475
1,585
7,315
2,350
2,615
1,120
1,265
1,730
$2,685
4,800
5,370
2,290
985
1,825
2,955
695
1,245
480
630
2,260
785
245
265
280
285
300
1,245
480
840
590
665
4,520
92
1,570
610
980
2,385
1,120
1,140
900
Page 5
3
120710A
Pod Climber 8" DB
SUBTOTAL
1
168099A
1
1
173591A
186490A
1
194663A
1
196213A
2
186588B
2
154397A
Cozy Dome DB
OmniSpin Spinner Surface
Mount1
We-saw DB Only1
ZipKrooz 34' w/Aluminum
Posts DB
ZipKrooz Assisted Additional
Bay 34' w/Aluminum Posts
DB
Kaleidoscope Bench w/Back
w/o Handles DB
CoolToppers Single Post DB
Only1
SUBTOTAL
2
174018A
2
177351A
1
177332A
1
177333A
1
1
1
1
3
168107A
168662A
168104A
186568B
168100A
2
4
168101A
168661A
225
675
$59,557
ALSO:
$3,410
6,300
8,175
9,170
7,920
$970
1,940
3,045
6,090
$43,005
$102
$204
675
1,350
SWINGS:
Belt Seat Proguard Chains 8'
Beam
Molded Bucket w/Harness
Proguard Chains 8' Beam
Single Post Swing Frame 8'
Beam
Single Post Swing Frame
Addtl Bay 8' Beam
SUBTOTAL
1,060
795
$3,409
SENSORY WALL:
Bongo Panel
Marble Panel
Optigear Panel
Pulse Table Tennis DB
Sensory Play Center Wall DB
Sensory Play Center Wall
End DB
Sensory Play Station Plate
SUBTOTAL
EQUIPMENT TOTAL
SHIPPING
INSTALLATION (BY
OTHERS)
TOTAL
$765
1,400
2,335
16,295
3,090
$1,030
690
1,380
$25,265
$131,236
2,948
39,371
$173,555
SURFACING
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 6
QTY.
NO.
DESCRIPTION
UNIT
PRICE
PRICE
Surface America
PlayBound Poured-in-Place
Combination 1 3/4" (1948sq.ft.) thick,
2" (1560sq.ft.), 2 1/2" (775sq.ft.),
3 1/2" (1300sq.ft.) and 4" (1800sq.ft.)
(thicknesses are subject to a nominal
variation) system with top surface in
50% Color/ 50% Black speckled mix.
Includes freight.
7,383 SQ FT
POURED-IN-PLACE
$86,411
Other Funding Sought: We have written grants to Nike, Home Depot, Walmart and Lowes and have not
received funding approval as of today. We will be seeking sponsorship from several local 'big businesses'
in our servicing area throughout the summer months. At present, Hope Helps has about $18,000 from
previous fundraisers to start the playground fund. We are planning others to help boost this fund as
well.
Funds Currently Raised: . At present, Hope Helps has about $18,000 from previous fundraisers to start
the playground fund. We are planning others to help boost this fund as well.
How will we raise additional funds: . We will be seeking sponsorship from several local 'big businesses'
in our servicing area throughout the summer months. Hope Helps is also planning additional fundraisers
with anticipation for a Fall Fun Run/Walk, guest speakers or large raffle items. Hope Helps will also be
attending most fall festivals in the area to advocate and sell merchandise (t-shirts, weighted blankets,
puzzle piece merchandise) to continue raising funds.
Anticipated Timeline for Project: Hope Helps began seeking bids for this project in April 2014 with
hopes to begin construction the first weekend in April 2015. Throughout May, Hope Helps board
members met with the Coal City Village Board and Park Board Committee to determine what would be
the best location for this new park. Once the land was officially designated for this project, Hope Help
board members began announcing the project, writing grants and seeking potential sponsorships. We
anticipate that funding the project will be our biggest hurdle and take up the rest of the 9 month
timeline. Anticipated finalization of playground plans will happen in March 2015 with instillation
beginning April 4, 2015--just in time for Autism Awareness Month and the immediately following World
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 7
Autism Awareness Day. Following a 2 day equipment build, the week of April 6th, the pulverized rubber
will be laid. Our anticipated ribbon cutting ceremony to launch the opening the playground will be
Saturday, April 10th, 2015. A total of one year from beginning to end.
Are there other organizations working on a similar project: Hope Helps is not aware of any other
organization working toward the building of a special needs playground in Grundy or Will county. We
know that a sensory garden was just added along the riverfront in Morris, IL as well as a few companies
who have smaller, private play facilities in Will county. These are the closest projects to our plans;
however are very different. Our playground will be open to the public for use with adult supervision as
well as having sensory equipment for movement not a garden for calming.
Will sponsoring Hope Helps Special Needs Playground Help you? We are looking for a sponsorship, not
a handout! When we offer you the opportunity to be a sponsor with our organization, we are offering
more than a place to hang your corporate logo. We will work with you to fully maximize all the
community goodwill such a project can generate. Every press release, every interview, and every event
is another opportunity for us to show our sincere gratitude to those who are willing to help us make this
dream come true. We have prepared a complete sponsorship package that includes a list of suggested
donation amounts and various ways in which we can provide recognition. Packages range from Diamond
level at $25,000 (Special recognition permanently placed at the site on donor wall, recognition on
website homepage with logo displayed and preferred placement on sponsor page, Logo included on all
printed materials, Invitation to attend all newsworthy events, Invitation to ground breaking with
preferred recognition, Recognized at ribbon cutting ceremony, Business name and logo on build t-shirts,
Corporate information included in media/press packet) to Bronze Level at $500 (Bronze level recognition
permanently placed at site on donor wall &Recognition on website). However, you are encouraged to
tailor donation amounts and recognition levels to your own needs. Be creative! Tell us how we can best
fulfill your needs and earn your sponsorship!
Approval for usage: We would love for this sponsorship opportunity to continue to reward you for your
help! Please, use photos, articles or link to our sites to show others the great things that you have done
for the community. We approve usage of all our playground materials once you sponsor!
Proof of non-profit status as well as recent IRS files: Below you will find our letter from the IRS showing
our non-profit status. Our EIN number is 45-0979408. Because our organization has never brought in
more than $50,000 in one year, we do not have to file taxes or 990 forms yet. As such, we have never
been audited.
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 8
Proof of Income and Quarterly Spending:
View History Results
Account History for Business Value Chkg xxx5272 as of 06/02/2014 05:09:06 PM
Start-Of-Day Balance
$16,406.81
Last Year's Interest
$0.00
0%
Available Balance
$16,406.81
Overdraft Limit
$0.00
Last Interest Paid
$0.00
Total Holds
$0.00
This Year's Interest
$0.00
$16,406.81
Collected Balance
$16,406.81
Interest Rate
Current Balance
Transaction History
Please consider making this important investment in our future. A playground provides a safe and challenging place
for children and our community to learn and grow! Because you’re donating to Hope Helps, your contribution is tax
deductible 45-0979408 and tax deduction receipts will be given for your records. **Any funds raised over the cost of
playground estimates will be placed in general fund toward executing our mission.
Once again, Thank you for supporting our community. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at
815-518-5341 or brittneykaluzny@gmail.com. For more information on our organization and more playground
designs, please visit www.hopehelpsautismawareness.org.
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 9
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 10
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 11
To Whom It May Concern:
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 12
I am writing this reference for Hope Helps in regard to the Sensory Playground. I have
known Robert and Brittney Kaluzny for approximately two years, we were introduced at a
support group meeting, It Takes a Village, for parents of Special Needs children. During my
time in getting to know Robert and Brittney, I have benefitted exponentially from the Hope
Helps organization by receiving educational materials that help me as a parent of a special
needs child, educational materials that benefit my special needs children (craft ideas,
workbook pages, dietary information, etc.), I have attended support group meetings in
which Hope Helps were the speaker in which they educate, advocate,
encourage continued research and hope and I have utilized their services to advocate for
my child during the IEP process at school.
The Sensory Playground is yet another way in which Hope Helps is reaching out to families in
need and bringing our communities together. Our family will personally benefit from this
playground because the particular pieces on this playground will help my children with
balance, hand/eye coordination, the flooring of this playground is not made out of mulch
or gravel which is difficult for my child to run on so I know he will be safe, the orange path
on the flooring will help him walk "safely" across the playground as it shows him which way
to go - not in front of the slides or swings, the dome is mostly solid with hand/foot holds
which will help keep them climbing instead of falling through like they do on the regular
domes (getting trapped inside), and the stairs (instead of ladder) leading up to the slides
will mean a lot less "work" in order to have fun.
As I have described above, Hope Helps has been a lifeline of education, advocacy and
community for our family. We have enjoyed working with them in the past, the present and
look forward to what they can do in the future.
Kristin Madison
316 N Fifth St
Braceville, IL 60407
815-483-4021
"HOPE HELPS! Fabulous name that envelopes our sentiments. This mother of four, two with
autism, is the BEST ambassador for our community. Brittney has embraced the cause and has
made it her mission to educate the public, help other families as they begin their journey, and
advocate for other children as well as her own. Hope Helps awards scholarships to families
who need assistance with educational technology, providing fencing for a yard so a non verbal
autistic child can safely play, and this year offering animal therapy. Brittney and her husband,
Robert have a dream to reach as many special needs children as possible with the addition of a
playground in our community. This playground ensures that ALL children will have the
opportunity to have fun, get exercise, and socially grow in an environment safe for them. I
invite you to reward Hope Helps with this generous donation. Sincerely, Kristin Sayers"
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 13
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing in regards to Hope Helps Special Needs, Sensory Playground. I am very excited
about the development of this playground. I am both a parent of a child with special needs and a
speech-language pathologist. Growing up, my daughter only played at a regular playground. Because of
she was weak and frequently lost her balance, she had a difficult time playing on the equipment. Other
children did not include her in games because she could not run on the uneven ground or manipulate
the jungle gym. A special need’s playground would have given her more freedom. Because of my
daughter’s differences, my daughter was often isolated because she could not join her peers in playing
and I often felt isolated because I could not relate to the other parents whose children were normal. A
special needs playground would allow children with special needs to interact with their peers and it
would allow parents of special needs children to meet and develop friendships.
As a speech-language pathologist, I know how important playgrounds can be in developing
children’s language skills. Being able to use a playground would give a child with special needs new
experiences necessary for vocabulary development. The playground is also a place to develop social and
reasoning skills. The amazing thing about a playground is that no matter how quiet a child is the
playground can engage them in interacting and communicating with others. I have had extremely
successful therapy sessions at playgrounds because the combination of movement and language often
go hand in hand.
I hope you see how important a special needs sensory playground is to our community.
Respectfully,
Patricia Meyer
Hope Helps
C/O Brittney Kaluzny
50 S Kankakee St
Coal City, IL 60416
815-518-5341
Page 14