TVO Kids’ GIVER is a live-action reality TV show with a twist – it shines a light on kids that are doing amazing things in their communities. The show inspires children to get involved and contribute to the places they live by reclaiming and enhancing local playground spaces. Each episode features a team of 6 local kids who work with the energetic host and team leader Michael Lagimodiere and volunteers from the community to build a unique and fun playground for their community in just 3 days!
THE MAGAZINE caught up with Michael to talk about GIVER and young kids making a difference.
On selecting the young Giver team:
We use people that live in the community to help us pull together a group of kids that are suitable candidates. Perhaps they have a passion for this, perhaps they want to build or perhaps they have been dreaming of a playground. There are many stories as to why the children are selected.
On finding new playground locations:
We’re hoping to fulfill a real need. Some places don’t have playgrounds and some playgrounds have been vandalized or are in poor condition. An example would be in Niagara Falls where a girl wrote a letter to the mayor asking for a playground and the letter was included in the submission package to us, so that girl was actually involved in the build.
On the community’s involvement:
Every community has been exceptionally generous. Labour is always the big one because although there are six children and myself, you do see volunteers, including the parents of the children on the show, also working because it’s an immense amount of work. It would be nothing without the volunteers.
On the impact the builds have on the young Giver team:
They sit back at the end of it and they are very impressed with what they’ve been able to do. When you bring together a lot of people, a lot of volunteers, a will and a plan, it’s amazing what can be done in 3 days. There are many little moments of accomplishments that lead to this massive accomplishment, so it’s very rewarding.
On outstanding final products:
In Waubaushene, ON we did a sawmill park. It was a beautiful end product and the children were very excited. The community brought ideas and help.
On what the show says to kids:
You can do it. If you want to see change, make a change, and if you want to see something better in your community, engage your community and make it happen because really all that’s missing is somebody to come up with a plan and an idea. We’re able to get in there and do it in 3 days because everyone’s helping.
On how you can get involved:
You can always apply to GIVER to have your community selected for playground development. I also did all the drawings for these playgrounds when we conceptualized them with the team and the drawings went to our online people who have put the instructions on how to build everything online. It’s an instruction manual on how to build playgrounds.
Thank you, Michael! Catch GIVER on TVO Kids.