The Toro Company Foundation and the American Rental Association Foundation teamed up to improve the outdoor space at the United Way’s Family Center at Ben Franklin High School in Baltimore. The project included playground upgrades, landscaping improvements and a $20,000 grant to support the center’s programs for children and families.

On July 28, rental industry volunteers completed the upgrades while supporting a center that helps parenting students stay in school and care for their families.

The Family Center provides free, full-day childcare for parenting students, along with early childhood education for infants and toddlers. The center also connects families with resources such as housing, food assistance and other essential services.

Volunteers from AAA Party Rentals, Bay Country Rentals, Carter Cat Rentals, Dreamers Event Rentals, Fred’s Tents, Holland Park Tents, InTENTional Systems, L & A Tent Rentals, The Matadore Equipment, Oxon Hill Rentals and Washington Air Compressor Rental Co. provided equipment and labor for the improvements.

During the project, crews replaced landscaping around the facility, installed privacy fence slats, planted new bushes, added rubber safety surfacing to the playground and assembled new play equipment.

Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Maryland, accepted the $20,000 grant from the ARA Foundation and shared how the Family Center supports student parents. Baker said nearly 80 percent of teen parents who use the center’s services graduate from high school, compared to about 40 percent nationwide.

Baker described the donation and volunteer work as another example of the “wraparound support” provided to families through the center.

“It’s a journey,” Baker said. “They are helping us along this journey.”

Addressing a need

Beth Littrell, associate vice president of community engagement and volunteerism for the United Way of Central Maryland, said the improvements addressed a need the organization had been working to fill for years.

“We are thankful for ARA and what they are providing for us, not just the monetary, but also the manpower to get this done,” Littrell said. “This project is something that has been on my list for about five years; finally getting someone out here to do this is huge for us and it’s huge for the kiddos.”

Russ Hicks, owner and director of operations at AAA Party Rentals in Laurel, Maryland, and vice president of the ARA of Maryland, said the upgraded playground created a noticeable change for the children who use the space.\

“As soon as you walk into the playground, you can see and feel the difference that we’ve made here,” Hicks said. “It’s become a much more inviting space for the children.”

The project was part of the Toro Company Foundation and ARA Foundation’s Community Impact Project program, which supports local improvement efforts through volunteer work and industry resources. The program gives rental industry members the opportunity to use their equipment and expertise to support communities across the country.