Four Local nonprofits awarded Imagination Playground™ by NRG and KaBOOM!

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Kids in Oxnard receive the gift of play just in time for the holidays

Four Local nonprofits awarded Imagination Playground™ by NRG and KaBOOM!

Thursday, December 17, 2015 (Oxnard, CA) – The holiday season is fast approaching and everyone is thinking about presents. From the latest tablet to the largest television set, consumers are getting excited about all kinds of gifts. But what about the gift of play?

America’s kids are playing less than any previous generation. Only one in four adolescents get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity or active play per day, with the number of younger kids only slightly higher. This holiday season, NRG and KaBOOM! are making sure kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, El Centrito, the Carnegie Art Museum, and the Oxnard Revival Center have the access to play they need to thrive.

“Blessed to Be a Blessing- Impacting our community one child at a time” said Pastor Misael Gurrola from the Oxnard Revival Center.

For more than a decade, NRG and its legacy companies have supported more than 50 Oxnard-area non-profits with investments exceeding $500,000. This year, NRG, in partnership with KaBOOM!, is granting Imagination Playgrounds™ to four Oxnard based child-serving non-profits. Imagination Playground™ features a collection of oversized blue foam parts that allows children to build and re-build play structures with their imaginations. It helps develop healthy bodies, resilient and creative minds and social and emotional well-being.

“In this season of giving, NRG is pleased to donate Imagination Playgrounds to the children of Oxnard and Port Hueneme,” said Eric Leuze Director of Asset Management in California for NRG Energy. “By partnering with KaBOOM! and these four wonderful organizations, we can foster creativity and recreation and make a real difference in the lives of thousands of children across these communities.”

“KaBOOM! is excited to partner with NRG to bring play to more kids in Oxnard,” said Jason Cooper, Associate Director, Digital Engagement. “It’s with committed partners like NRG that we can have a sustainable impact on the development of kids.”

All kids should have an opportunity to realize the benefits of play. Because play—in all of its forms—is a powerful thing. From addressing obesity, to improving mental health and wellness, to building a creative and successful workforce—balanced and active play lays the foundation for a skilled, healthy, resilient, and successful society.

About NRG

NRG is leading a customer-driven change in the U.S. energy industry by delivering cleaner and smarter energy choices, while building on the strength of the nation’s largest and most diverse competitive power portfolio. A Fortune 200 company, we create value through reliable and efficient conventional generation while driving innovation in solar and renewable power, electric vehicle ecosystems, carbon capture technology and customer-centric energy solutions. Our retail electricity providers serve almost 3 million residential and commercial customers throughout the country. More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.

About KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

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