What it took to install a shade structure on our school grounds By Katie Labadia (Guest Blogger)

A startling lack of shade on the playground at my children’s school became a topic for discussion at the year’s first Parent-Teacher Organization meeting in September 2015, after some surrounding trees had been cut down over the summer. With a growing awareness of melanoma and skin cancer on our minds, we formed a Sun Safety Committee. I became chair.

I have been passionate about sun safety for many years, not only because I am fair-skinned but also because I lost my mother to melanoma. By taking on this cause, I was hoping to honor my mother, protect my children, and educate our beautiful seaside community about skin cancer prevention. My role evolved into my arranging a sun safety educational program, advocating for sunscreen at school, researching shade structures and fundraising.

The PTO decided that fundraising would be the best way for our school to pursue this project. I contacted the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation, which agreed to provide its SunAWARE Curriculum, to help us research shade structures, and to assist in fundraising. On CMPF’s recommendation, I contacted an Australian company called Sailshades that manufactures its products in Texas. The shades were attractive, blocked UV rays, came in a variety of colors and could be easily taken down for our New England winters.

Read more: What it took to install a shade structure on our school grounds By Katie Labadia (Guest Blogger)

Why We Do This! Featuring Jason Ader (Corporate Sponsor) and Tori DeMaio (Advisory Council)

Click here to watch

Check out this adorable SunAWARE video created especially by Snapper Rock for celebration of our 15th anniversary: