WEST TOWN — After a turnout of more than 150 residents last October, two West Town moms and a nanny plan to host a second Stand Up to Hate Play Date to spread a message of love and kindness on a West Town school’s playground.
And a drone will be watching — hovering over the playground at Talcott Fine Arts Academy, 1840 W. Ohio St. during the play date, set for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
A massive “Know No Hate” mural outline by we all live here founder and West Town artist Rich Alapack will be drawn on the playground’s blacktop and kids will color in the outline as a drone captures the action, according to co-organizer Maria Ippolito.
Participating children at the event will also receive their own “Know No Hate” signs to color in and hang in their windows at home.
Alapack is known for his unifying and inspiring public art projects that are collaboratively produced. He recently executed a similar collaboratively drawn chalk mural at the Apple store on Michigan Avenue. Watch it here in a time lapse video.
The second annual rally for love and positivity comes after a local family who employs a black nanny was targeted in an anonymous, hate-filled letter last October.
“The response last year was overwhelming and we realize that our work isn’t done,” said Ippolito, who is hosting the play date with Heather DeJonker and Ferrai Pickett.
Pickett, who is black, is a nanny to Ippolito and DeJonker’s children. Last October, an unknown person placed an unstamped letter in DeJonker’s mailbox. The author of the letter suggested that DeJonker fire Pickett and employ a white nanny.
Outraged by the hateful note, the three women quickly assembled a massive playdate at Talcott Fine Art school’s playground.
This year’s play date purpose is “to continue to raise awareness and teach our children the importance of being kind and standing up for what they believe in,” according to the event’s Facebook page.
Related: After Racist Note, Play Date Against Hate Draws Crowd To West Town School
“We also want to bring together community in solidarity and spread love and kindness,” Ippolito said.
In addition to the “Know No Hate” mural, the play date will include a performance by children’s musician Little Miss Ann, soccer and complimentary cookies from Roeser’s Bakery.
The gathering is open to the public. For more info and to RSVP, visit the event’s Facebook page.
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