TVOKids’ Giver 150 builds Canada’s biggest playground to celebrate the nation’s big birthday
“Giver 150 presents an amazing opportunity for school-aged kids to build civic engagement and deepen their learning and pride about Canada and its incredible cultural and geographical diversity,” says Marney Malabar, TVO’s Director of Kids TV. “TVOKids is thrilled to give kids a platform to see how their hard work creates meaningful impact in their communities.”
Giver 150 features a diverse group of kids from all over the country coming together to build a massive 4,600 square metre playground in the shape of Canada. In each of the ten episodes, kids focus on building a smaller part of the playground in the shape of one province or territory, celebrating each region’s unique geography, history, culture and people. The kids work alongside contractor and host, 20-year architectural design veteran Michael Lagimodiere, who helps them use power tools, dig holes and paint. New this season, Michael is joined by co-host by Dominique “Mique” Boisvenue, a talented House of PainT member and graffiti artist. As the park comes together one piece at a time, the Giver 150 team learns about giving back while learning more about their province, capital and country.
"Giver would not be possible without the unending enthusiasm from our kid participants or the dedication from our hundreds of volunteers”, says J.J. Johnson, Series Creator, Executive Producer, Sinking Ship Entertainment. “This season is the truest testament to Giver's mantra that anything is possible when a community pulls together.”
The Ottawa playground marks the largest and most ambitious build Giver has ever completed. Over the past three seasons, Giver has built 33 unique playgrounds around Ontario, with over 200 children and thousands of volunteers taking part.
A TVOKids original developed to help school-aged kids adopt a can-do attitude, Giver was created and produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment in association with TVO.
Giver 150 premieres Wednesday, April 26 at 6pm (repeated Saturdays at 11:30 am and Sundays at 1 pm). Giver 150 is also available on demand at TVOKids.com and the TVOKids YouTube Channel.
About TVO
As the technological extension of Ontario’s public education system, TVO’s vision is to create a better world through the power of learning. TVO provides learning opportunities for Ontarians through innovative educational products, in-depth current affairs, groundbreaking documentaries, and award-winning TVOKids resources both inside and outside the classroom. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.
About Sinking Ship Entertainment
Sinking Ship Entertainment is a multiple Emmy® Award winning production, distribution and digital company specializing in kids’ live-action CGI-blended series. Since its launch in 2004, Sinking Ship has produced over 500 hours of content, filmed in over 35 countries and built 34 playgrounds. The company has rapidly earned a reputation for high quality, groundbreaking original series and companion interactive experiences. Most recently, the Kidscreen Hot 50 ranking of all kids’ companies in the world listed Sinking Ship Entertainment as #3 in Kids Production, #7 in Kids Distribution and #7 in Kids Interactive. Sinking Ship was also named the #1 Kids Production Company by Playback Magazine Canada, won four Daytime Emmy® Awards and the Canadian Screen Award for Best Preschool Series for Odd Squad. The company operates a Toronto-based VFX and Interactive Studio, home to over 125 shipmates.
Where to find TVO
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Media contacts:
Angela Garde
Public Relations Specialist, TVO
416.484.2600 x 2305
agarde@tvo.org
Kamaj Silva
Sinking Ship Entertainment
Marketing Manager
416.533.8172 x 2227
kamaj@sinkingship.ca
Kamaj Silva
Sinking Ship
4165338172
email us here
