A Simple Idea with Lasting Impact

I’ve seen a lot of events come and go, but every time I visit Clayco’s Kids Dig, I’m reminded why this one matters. At first glance, it’s a fun day with equipment, helmets, and dirt. But when you look closer, especially when you see the faces of over 200 Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago patients and their siblings, you realize it’s something far more meaningful. It’s a space where kids start to see themselves differently. Not just as visitors, but as future builders.

Real Tools, Real Roles, Real Inspiration

There’s something powerful about putting a child in a hard hat and handing them a real shovel. You can see it in their posture. They stand a little taller, focus a little more. They understand this isn’t playtime. It’s real. And that moment stays with them.

This year, over 200 kids—patients from Lurie Children’s and their siblings—took part in Kids Dig. They climbed into real equipment—excavators, scissor lifts, bulldozers, boom lifts, and more—creating unforgettable moments for kids who need it most. Watching them explore the job site, operate equipment, and connect with the people behind the builds added a powerful layer to the day. It reminded us that courage doesn’t always wear a cape. Sometimes it wears a vest and a helmet.

Families came ready to engage. Volunteers showed up in force. And the site itself became a place full of possibility.

Not every child will go on to build bridges or design skyscrapers. But many will walk away with something just as valuable. A belief in themselves. A sense that they belong in this world we’re creating.

How Kids Dig Builds Futures

Here’s what makes this event so special:

1. Early Exposure
   Kids get a hands-on introduction to the world of construction and design. It’s not abstract. It’s real, and they’re right in the middle of it.
2. Mentorship That Matters
   Volunteers don’t just supervise. They connect. They answer questions. They offer encouragement. And sometimes, they change the course of a life.
3. Community in Action
   When sponsors, tradespeople, families, and staff come together, they’re doing more than running an event—they’re investing in a better future. This year’s Kids Dig was made possible thanks to the generosity of our partners—Taylor Excavating & Construction Inc., Scurto Cement Construction, Bigane Paving Company, Abbey Construction Co., Inc., Atrium Inc., and many others—who donated their time and equipment. A special thank you to Related Midwest for hosting us on their property and helping create a space where kids could truly dream bigger.
4. Memories That Motivate
   A child behind the wheel of a digger or holding their first set of blueprints is creating a memory. And those memories often grow into dreams.

Building Support, Building Legacy

This year’s event raised significant support for the mission, with all proceeds benefiting Lurie Children’s. That kind of backing says a lot about the belief people have in this effort. It shows that we’re not just building projects. We’re building people. We’re building opportunity.

I’ve always believed that real legacy isn’t measured in square footage or skylines. It’s measured in people. And when you give a child the chance to see what’s possible, you help lay a foundation that can hold up their future.

Clayco Kids Dig is doing that. One child at a time. One memory at a time. One dream at a time.