Do you build playsets in the rain? 

The first day we ever attempted to build a playset back in 2009, we woke up and it was pouring down rain. “If it was not for John Janin, I would have canceled the build,” Roc Solid Founder and Chief Play Officer, Eric Newman shared, “but when I called him he said, ‘I am already at the family’s house getting set up. You have to come.’ So I got out of bed and I was scared to death, but the rain didn’t stop us.” 

John Janin, now the Director of Playsets at Roc Solid Foundation, set the precedent for building playsets in the rain and inspired one of our core beliefs as an organization—whatever it takes, no matter what. 

 Cancer doesn’t care about the rain so neither do we 

It poured rain the day of the first three playset builds but because the Roc Solid team had already decided that rain would not stop hope, playsets were built for each of those families, and now hundreds more. We’ve seen kiddos squeal with joy while they go down their “water slide” on a rainy build day, puddles turn into tiny ponds for toys and tiny feet to jump into and volunteers smile under the hoods of ponchos when the family sees their playset for the first time. Rain does not stop a single moment of hope or joy. 

There is something uniquely magical about a rainy playset build day and the way it symbolizes the community of people who are choosing to get messy with a family who is going through a very messy time. Cancer doesn’t stop for a rainy day, so neither do we. 

It poured rain the day of the first three playset builds but because the Roc Solid team had already decided that rain would not stop hope, playsets were built for each of those families, and now hundreds more. We’ve seen kiddos squeal with joy while they go down their “water slide” on a rainy build day, puddles turn into tiny ponds for toys and tiny feet to jump into and volunteers smile under the hoods of ponchos when the family sees their playset for the first time. Rain does not stop a single moment of hope or joy. 

 When you put yourself second, you can restore hope.  

Now, 14 years later, hundreds of families have received playsets on rainy days thanks to that precedent and thousands of volunteers who put themselves second to be there for families fighting pediatric cancer. 

If you are looking forward to a playset build that may have a rainy forecast, be encouraged that hope will win no matter what. When you put yourself second, you can restore hope.  

Want to build hope? If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring a playset project, email us at info@rocsolidfoundation.org. Let’s build hope!