Roanoke businessman Bill Kirk is helping to make dreams come true for all children.

Bill and his wife, Shireen, have pledged the largest gift ever received by the Addy Grace Foundation and have earmarked that gift to the construction of the all-abilities playground to be built at Daleville Town Center.

“Bill and Shireen have made a huge difference in our fundraising efforts with their gift of $157,000,” said James Garner, co-founder of the Addy Grace Foundation (addygracefoundation.com).

Bill Kirk is the CEO of Associated Asphalt headquartered in Roanoke and has been a supporter of many community-related projects in the past and he encourages others to give back to the communities where they live and work as well, an announcement from the Addy Grace Foundation said.

“I feel that all children deserve a chance to grow and develop regardless of their financial, mental or physical ability,” said Kirk.  “Shireen and I feel that this playground will be an asset to our region and give everyone a place to come together, not only children with special needs but parents with special needs can play with their own children here as well,” he said.

“My wife, Jennifer, and I are so grateful for the support that the Kirks and the entire community are giving to this playground project.  We want all children to have a space where they can play together,” said James Garner.

The all-abilities playground is scheduled to begin construction in late winter and be open to the public by spring of 2019. It will be next to the new Botetourt YMCA that is under construction now.

The Addy Grace Foundation was established by Jennifer and James Garner of Troutville to raise $750,000 for the extensive playground that will allow children of all abilities to play on a playground. The foundation, a 501(C3) non-profit, is named after their daughter, Addy Grace, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and has no use of her muscles.