Misti and Will Staley are creators. Misti, a freelance artist and creative director of Reclaimed Helena, found herself in Arkansas by way of Douglassville, Georgia, alongside her Arkansas-native husband, Will, co-founder and creative director of Thrive Helena. The Staleys formed the Freeman Foundation after their son, Freeman Ellis, passed away in 2015.
Freeman’s life, although short, was inspirational beyond measure. Reflecting the Freeman Foundation’s mission, the Freeman Playground was created when the community joined together to raise funds for a playground to serve children of all backgrounds and abilities.
The playground met its budget after a successful 2017 ArkansasGives, and construction to provide a place of fun and laughter in downtown Helena began. “There’s no way we could have built the Freeman Playground without the support of community members, family and donors,” Misti said. “We’re so thankful for them.”
Misti and Will created a fund at Arkansas Community Foundation to ensure the mission of the Freeman Playground would last forever. The spendable amount each year will provide permanent resources to ensure the space is maintained. “Freeman’s life was much bigger than himself, and his impact will be felt for years,” Will said. “This playground is a testament to the strength of this community and how everyone recognized the need for it.”