COCHRANE— Amped2Play is no stranger to the one fundamental piece that roots their organization. Play.
An idea kick-started by Amped2Play roughly a year ago has recently come into fruition after chief executive officer, Ozzie Sawicki, and his counterpart, chief knowledge officer, Brandi Heather, decided the pandemic would be an ideal time to share their new business venture - ISOLOVEPLAY.
"When all of this started to unfold, it just became an obvious solution that we thought we could make available," Sawicki said. "We're a unique business and we were able to pivot on a dime to make something happen that's relevant to the moment.
The ISOLOVEPLAY is a box that consists of 20 items that are play-oriented and curriculum-based. Sawicki says there are elements of math, science and social studies within each box that integrate the education aspect alongside play.
"We really developed it with the intent that this was a learning tool as much as it a play opportunity. The thought process in designing the box was that we wanted to follow out the value of the company which is we're multi-generational and all abilities get to play with it."
Operations Coordinator with Amped2Play, Sandra Scott explained the ISOLOVEPLAY box comes with play starters which are suggestions on how to initiate play.
"Not every box is exactly the same but you'll have things like marbles, string, sticks, plastic animals and bouncy balls. You don't necessarily use the bouncy ball as a bouncy ball, we suggest other things that you can do with these items and how to combine the items," she said.
Scott added every item that is placed in each box has been chosen by Heather who has an extensive background as a play therapist.
"She knew what she wanted to help kids develop," explained Scott. "It's child-led play so if our plan is to get them to decorate the box and they don't want to do that, then we don't— We go along with where their creativity is going."
In coping with the new norm, virtual playdates have also been introduced. Individuals who have a box can participate and discover innovative ways to play with the items. The play dates will be taking place every Tuesday at 11 a.m. for the next six weeks. It runs off a Webex call which can accommodate up to 50 people.
"We really want to do it every week as long as we are in this situation," Scott said.
Amped2Play is now seeing an array of requests for their ISOLOVEPLAY boxes. From families purchasing a box for another family in need to those struggling with mental health challenges associated with COVID-19 to individuals purchasing high volumes for frontline health care workers.
Large organizations like Canadian Adaptive Snowsports, which Sawicki happens to be involved with, have also stepped forward to provide boxes for their disabled participant members.
"People with adaptive needs are struggling in a huge way because they've lost most of their social care network, their respite network and their in-home support mechanisms have disappeared, so this is giving them something to keep level," Sawicki said.
The items for the boxes are obtained from a variety of different stores. Sawicki says it's been a neat experience to work in collaboration with these retailers given the time we are in.
"It's creating a community amongst businesses and we find what we're doing is keeping other businesses thriving too."
Amped2Play will be giving a dollar from every ISOLOVEPLAY box sale to the World Health Organization to aid with research for a COVID-19 vaccine.
The boxes are available across Canada and the United States. Each box is $38 plus tax depending on where an order is placed. For information on ISOLOVEPLAY visit Amped2Play.com.
