MILWAUKEE COUNTY

MKE Plays gets $100K donation from Herb Kohl Philanthropies

Ashley Luthern
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Herb Kohl Philanthropies has donated $100,000 to the MKE Plays initiative, which works to renovate city playgrounds.

Ald. Michael Murphy speaks before the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly renovated playground in honor of Marcus DeBack. In 1995, Marcus, then 9, ran with his friend Anthony Barksdale while trying to shield him from gunfire on the playground at 2461 N. 55th Street. DeBack was fatally shot.

The organization is the charitable foundation of Herb Kohl, former U.S. senator and former Milwaukee Bucks owner

“We are humbled to have the support from someone who understands the value of a true public/private partnership," Ald. Michael Murphy said in a news release.

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Murphy created MKE Plays two years ago and the initiative has raised more than $1.5 million in donations. By next summer, 14 sites will have been renovated through the program.

“Improved playgrounds and park spaces help enhance the vitality of our city as well as the development of young people," Kohl said in the release. "The work MKE Plays is doing to engage neighborhoods is a worthy investment."