People get barefoot in Bartlett for park project
Inspired by the ice-bucket fundraising challenge that went viral last year, about 20 people shed their shoes and socks and stood in snow Saturday to support a Bartlett park project.
The crowd gathered at the Bartlett Park District's Villa Olivia Country Club for the skin-chilling activity. The aim was to bring attention to a planned playground at Bartlett Park that will be built for kids of all physical abilities, organizers said.
"It's a playground where we're removing physical barriers and other types of barriers that prevent children from getting together," said Stephane Fitzsimons, the park district's marketing manager.
A nonprofit group called the Bartlett Parks Foundation is heading the effort.
The estimated cost of the project is $800,000. Park district officials already have pledged $125,000 toward that goal, Fitzsimons said.
It could take three years to raise the money and make the park a reality, Fitzsimons said.
Standing barefoot in snow is a simple activity that anyone of any age can do, Fitzsimons said.
"And it's something that you'd never do on your own," she said.
The group only lasted a few minutes in the snow before running inside for complimentary hot chocolate.
Villa Olivia maintenance worker Tommy LaMantia was among the volunteers who went barefoot in the snow Saturday. Like the others, he didn't last very long.
"It was a lot colder than I thought it was going to be," LaMantia said.
Still, he laughed about the activity and said it was fun.
"I've never stood in snow barefoot before," he said.
If you'd like to raise money for the project, take a photo of yourself standing barefoot in snow and post it to Twitter with the #barefootsnowstand tag.
And just like the ice-bucket campaign, officials said you should feel free to challenge your relatives, co-workers and friends to do the same. The suggested donation is $10 or more.
Donations can be made at bartlettparks.org.general/foundation.aspx, too.