Chestermere’s lakeside now features a “Take a Toy, Leave a Toy” box, thanks to the initiative of Chidi Nwachukwu and his family. Inspired by a similar project they encountered during a trip to Florida, Chidi aimed to provide a communal toy-sharing solution for children at Anniversary Beach.
Chidi’s inspiration stemmed from a personal experience. “We forgot to come with toys that [our daughter] could play with at the beach right by the lake, and realized it was a bit frustrating for her,” he shared. This led to the idea of a toy box where kids could borrow and return toys, ensuring no child feels left out during a day at the lake.
Chidi had a clear vision, but he needed guidance to turn it into reality. “I said, ‘Well, I don’t know how to do that. Here’s the people [I] need to talk to,” he recounted. With support from Muriel, the City’s Grant Coordinator, and the community, the project began to take shape. “Muriel and I had a lengthy conversation around it.” During this discussion, it was suggested that an application for a Vitality Grant could assist in bringing this idea to fruition. To Chidi’s delight, it worked out. “When I put in an application, it came approved.”
The process involved collaboration and community engagement. Chidi emphasized the importance of local involvement, “I also wanted locals to benefit from right wherever it goes.” He reached out to Chestermere residents for help, including Sarah, who crafted the toy box. “She put in extra effort, you know, like delivering it to my residence,” Chidi noted.
During the testing phase, Chidi used his daughter to ensure the box was the right height and safe. Initially, the box had a lid, but Chidi quickly realized it could be a safety hazard. “I noticed right away that the lid could be dangerous, especially if it were to close unexpectedly,” he explained. Additionally, the box was a bit too tall. To address these concerns, Chidi enlisted his father-in-law’s help to modify the box.
Chidi also faced challenges with the signage component. “We tried to find somebody who could do the signing for us but couldn’t find it in Chestermere,” Chidi explained. Ultimately, they sourced the signage online, completing the project. Chidi’s perseverance paid off, and the toy box is now ready to serve the community. He encourages others to pursue their own community project ideas, “Just go for it,” he advised. His experience with the City was positive, “The City has a listening ear, like it is not the regular government that you know.”
Chidi’s “Take a Toy, Leave a Toy” box is not just a practical solution but a demonstration of the power of community collaboration and the impact of local initiatives. As Chidi aptly puts it, “At the end of the day, we are family.”
