The events of September 11, 2001 had a profound impact on the entire nation. Not only did those near the World Trade Center feel the impact, but all Americans shared in the tragedy. Public School 42, located in the vicinity of Ground Zero, was one school particularly affected by the events of September 11, 2001. As a neighbor of the Twin Towers, many of the school?EUR(TM)s students were traumatized as a result of the attacks. The children were in school that day. Being so close to the actual disaster, they saw what was happening from the windows of the school. Many children were traumatized with the noise, dust, and sirens that were non-stop for days after the event. Principal Rosa O?EUR(TM)Day?EUR(TM)s husband is a NYC firefighter who was at the Twin Towers that day. He survived the collapse of the buildings, but lost most of his firehouse. NYC schools were closed on Wednesday, September 12 and part of the day on Thursday, September 13. The disruption of the normal school routine caused increasing stress and trauma. Many children were forced to remain indoors for weeks due to bad air conditions and the dust that was blanketing Lower Manhattan. Much of the student population has been undergoing psychological counseling from NYU and St. Vincent?EUR(TM)s Hospital. They are also being counseled in school by teachers who have undergone counseling themselves. PS 42 is extremely sympathetic to the needs of its students and makes every effort in the world to provide them with a safe learning environment. When Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems learned of how O?EUR(TM)Day?EUR(TM)s school braved 9/11 and that O?EUR(TM)Day?EUR(TM)s own husband was one of the firefighters at the scene, the national playground equipment manufacturer wanted to help. Armed with research from the Injury Free Coalition for Kids indicating that children can heal emotionally through play, Little Tikes reached out to Public School 42 and offered to donate one of its new firetruck-themed playgrounds for the school?EUR(TM)s children. The excitement level of the students was overwhelming. Anxious students were drawing pictures of their new playground weeks before it was actually built.