Page 6 - North State Parent April 2020

be the change By Jenna ChristophersenVici Miranda
Making a Big Splash on Behalf of North State Kids
Vici Miranda possesses what Kate Grissom describes as a “blend of grit and grin.” Since 2018, Vici’s kind and cheerful determination has rallied the commu-
nity, including business owners like Kate, to raise over $200,000 toward the building of a splash park in Red Bluff, CA (redbluff- splash.com). “I’ve seen a lot of community development,” says Kate, “but Vici has attracted and cultivated momentum for the splash park like I’ve never seen before.”
The Big Splash City River Park is designed to be a safe and inclusive space for children of all ages and abilities. Splash parks, characterized by fountains and jets that sprinkle cool water over visitors, offer summer fun to all kids by eliminating the dangers posed by the deeper pools found at water parks. They even accom- modate water access for those with medical equipment.
Vici became the spearhead for building a splash park, thanks to her son Preston. Over the past several summers, Vici and her husband Tyler have sojourned to splash parks because their active eight-year-old lacks height and depth perception due to suffering a stroke at birth. This condition makes pools and playground equipment dangerous for him. At other water parks, Vici must be overly cautious and protective, but at splash parks, Preston can enjoy playtime independence.
What began as something of a side venture has essentially grown into a second job. Vici has expanded her vision to include a comprehensive park and playground. As a real estate agent, Vici finds project management second nature, but the splash park has become an especially hefty project.
Thankfully, Vici finds the work invigorating and rewarding. She enjoys engaging with the community toward a worthy goal. She credits the momentum of the project to “people supporting and be- lieving in me.” Her biggest supporters have been Tyler, her parents and grandparents, her office staff and the Soroptimists group she has been part of since 2005. “It’s become an entire community proj- ect. That’s what I love—how everyone has embraced it and accepted the project and really wants to have a part of it,” she says.
Over the past year and a half, Vici has orchestrated multiple successful fundraisers, including school coin drives, Mimosas on Main, and Chocolate Fantasia, all of which encourage supporters to enjoy themselves while simultaneously benefitting the splash park.
Heather Smith, who met Vici through a professional group, says Vici invents many engaging fundraisers, but also reaches out to others, listens to their ideas and then makes those ideas happen. Heather, for example, dreamed up a Princess Ball fundraiser, then found Vici empowering her to lead the charge. “Any time I had a question,” Heather says, “she was there. She is such a great prob- lem-solver; I would team up with her on anything!” Their team also included about 15 businesses volunteering together to make the day magical for small children, such as hair salons that styled royal ringlets for little princesses. “Not only does Vici have the mo- tivation and heart to do this for the community,” Heather reflects,
6 North State Parent • Serving Upper California Since 1993
“but by doing this, she has brought so many people together to work toward a common goal, which is pretty miraculous.”
The word miraculous does seem to describe Vici’s
unique ability to unify and mobilize diverse groups of
people. Kate, who owns Cedar Crest Brewing, recalls the decision she and fellow downtown business owners made
to donate all proceeds from their downtown events toward
the splash park. “One of Vici’s greatest strengths is that she has zero ego,” says Kate. “She is so determined and disciplined and brings people together, but she doesn’t try to control the outcome. She’s been able to cast vision of the heart.”
Much of that heart-level vision comes from Vici’s family. Spend- ing time with her husband and son motivates her to persevere to- ward creating a safe play space for kids of all abilities. The family en- joys traveling to other splash parks, visiting aquariums and bowling. Vici can’t help but smile when Preston exuberantly roars “Strike!”
However, it’s not all fun and games. Undertaking the splash park has drawn Vici into the unfamiliar and challenging worlds of city council meetings, grant writing and the City of Red Bluff’s Parks and Recreation Commission. She says, “It’s been a real per- sonal development story for me.” Vici’s personal development translates into community development, promising benefits to Red Bluff and the North State for years to come. Ó
Jenna Christophersen is a Chico native who fell in love with writing when she wrote her first words as a student at McManus Elementary School.
The mission of our be the change column is to feature community members from the North State who are actively making a difference in community life. If you would like to nominate someone who is making a difference, please write to pn@northstateparent.com.
Photo by Marjie Kennedy, Six Rivers Photography