CLEVELAND — For residents in the Woodhill Homes community of Cleveland, there aren’t many opportunities to experience outdoor activities, due to access and affordability.
What You Need To Know
- Woodhill Homes is a public housing community in Cleveland
- Marilyn Burns helped put on a fun day in the snow
- It was the first time trying different snow activities for many of the children
“We live in a community that has a lot of disparities,” said Marilyn Burns, an advocate for the Woodhill Homes community. “And it’s so easy to get caught up in depression, and especially with the weather. You know, everybody seems isolated.”
Burns said that’s what inspired her to host a Winter Family Fun Day at the Woodhill Homes Community Center on Saturday, with help from Recess Cleveland.
“To let them know we’re still a community,” she said. “We still care and we’re still trying to get out and do things together to uplift and encourage each other through these times.”
Dozens of families wore face masks and bundled up to enjoy the winter wonderland, as snowflakes filled the air and several inches of snow covered the hillside next to the community center.
Burns lives in the public housing development and spends her time working to improve the lives of her neighbors. Tables covered with winter hats and gloves, and goodie bags filled with personal protective equipment, and toys were available for free to everyone in attendance.
“I’m in a one-bedroom, so my apartment is more like a store house,” said Burns. “I have to find room to maneuver, but, it’s OK because I’m constantly giving away to the community. This is what I do.”
The event gave kids like Kyla Davis, 9, a chance to play with snow toys for the first time. She gave snowboarding a shot.
“But, I’m going down a mountain, so that’s kind of scary,” she said.
After falling in the snow, Davis decided she wanted to try something else.
“I know the trick to that one — don’t use it,” she said with a sled in her hand.
Amara Taylor, 12, also tried snowboarding.
“I think I got this,” she said.
Taylor, who’s been skateboarding, thought she could transfer those skills to snowboarding.
Before she shoved off, she offered some parting words.
“If I die, I just want to say one thing: Nikki Minaj is the queen of rap,” she said.
With that, she slid down the hill, tumbling into the snow about halfway down. Thankful to live through the experience, she declared the snow sport “fun.”
“Yes!” she said. “It’s just I lost my balance and I fell.”
Sonny Graham, however, is a veteran at sledding.
“Yeah, I’ve went once or twice,” said the 10-year-old boy.
While he was catching his breath at the top of the hill, he explained how he faces his fears each time he sits on the sled.
“It’s very cool, because when I go down the hill, it’s like I’m scared,” said Graham. “But, then I get down there, and it’s like a relief and it’s just so cool.”
Audrianna Rodriguez said she’s no expert sled rider, but she’s thankful for the chance to try the snow sport.
“A lot of times, like, our families don’t have transportation and may not have finances to come and do activities,” she said. “Especially if you have multiple kids.”
While kids may have been the focus of the fun, the sledding was not just for the young, but also the young at heart.
At age 27, Mario Miller got the chance to enjoy snow sledding for the first time.
“I ain’t never seen stuff like this before,” he said. “Since I was little, we ain’t never had stuff like this.”
With a big grin, he said speeding down the hill made him feel like a kid again.
“I come down fast,” he said. “Like Mario Kart, my name’s Mario. So, I’m going down fast.”
For Burns, seeing these smiles is a reward in itself.
“It’s about that good feeling you get when you’ve done something good for somebody else and made their day,” she said. “In spite of all that’s going around, so, that’s what’s in it for me.”
