Book Fair Funds Helen's Storybook Playground Honoring the Late Helen Weiss
October 19, 2008
The most fashionable woman in St. Louis would have approved of the newest state-of-the-art style in playgrounds.
With 21 activities designed to help children develop their gross motor skills, coordination, balance and strength, the Nursery Foundation's new playground offers a distinctly modern take on old-fashioned outdoor fun. Major funding for the facility has been provided through a grant from the Greater St. Louis Book Fair.
Dubbed Helen's Storybook Playground, the new facility is named for the late Helen Weiss, a longtime supporter of the Book Fair and its mission to provide funding for the Nursery Foundation and children's education and literacy programs. Until her death in September 2008, Ms. Weiss was a dedicated advocate for the Fair and its charities through her work at Famous-Barr and later Macy's.
"What a wonderful thing it is to see mom's name attached to a project that will provide so much fun for so many children," said Helen's son, Dick Weiss. "Mom dedicated a good part of her working day and her life outside of work to doing nice things for people in a way that would make them feel good about themselves. The Book Fair with its emphasis on literacy and on child welfare was a particular passion for her. My sister, Jean, and I are very grateful."
The new playground replaces a play area that was more than 34 years old and had become outdated, unsafe by today's standards and hard to maintain. Many children served by the Nursery Foundation have limited opportunities for safe outside exercise. The play area will give them a much needed outlet for outdoor activities.
Major funding for the new playground has been provided through a grant from the Greater St. Louis Book Fair, which has supported the Nursery Foundation since the first fair in 1950. Macy's, Cardinals Care, Boeing, the Ronald McDonald House and individual contributors also donated funds for the playground.