Charlotte Playground Build
14th Anniversary
Moira Quinn
704-332-9583 or
Eric Law
704-576-7055 or
What:14th Anniversary Playground Build
Children Design a Playground to be Built by Business Leaders
Led by Hands On Charlotte
When:Friday, October 14, 2016
7:15am – 2:00pm
Where:Blythe Elementary School
12202 Hambright Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
CHARLOTTE – As our community struggles with issues of social justice, race and equity, a group of corporate leaders is gathering for an unprecedented fourteenth year in a row to invest in our children. They have raised more than $70,000 and will show up to transform an empty field of dirt and mulch into a brand new, state-of-the-art playground. This year, the magic will happen for children who attend, and live in the neighborhood surrounding Blythe Elementary School with the help of more than 120 volunteers. They are part of the Business Volunteer Council. Our project manager is Hands On Charlotte.
Honorary Build Chairmen for 2016 are Tom Murray, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) and Kevin Pitts, Publisher of the Charlotte Business Journal.
“These kids deserve our investment,” said Murray. “The corporate community can put in both capital and sweat equity to show these kids we care. The result is seven hours of magic. If you think I’m exaggerating, take a look at the faces of the children at the end of the day. You will believe.”
“This is a true labor of love for our volunteers,” said Pitts.” They get out of their corporate environments and transform a field of clay and mud into a magical field of dreams for children. It is a day we remember all year long.”
It’s a playground the children designed themselves. These kids joined teachers, their principal and members of the build team in May to draw and dream. At the end of the session, thanks to the experienced CAD computer specialists from Charlotte’s Cunningham Recreation, their drawings came to life in a 3-D computer generated design, so the kids saw what their new playground will look like.
By 2:00 pm on Friday, October 14, on an empty field of dirt and mulch, a brand new, state-of-the-art playground will be completed for the children who attend and the families who live around Blythe. That playground will be built through the Charlotte Playground Committee, led by Hands On Charlotte, with enthusiastic volunteers consisting of Charlotte’s top business leaders as well as community and school leadership. Mascots from our sports teams will encourage the builders throughout the day, as well as the Carolina Panthers Purrcussion Drum line, members of the Top Cats, Sgt. Roy and the Winding Springs Drum Line.
Blythe Elementary School was chosen because it had the oldest equipment in the CMS district and the school was in desperate need. With nearly 1,200 students, Blytheis one of the largest elementary schools in the district, and48 percentqualify for free or reduced lunch. Many of the students are from families of immigrants; many are struggling with poverty and crime and living in fragile neighborhoods. In addition, they have a large pre-k population and serve several classes of students with disabilities.
However, the school has strong leadership in Principal Leora Itzhaki. Blythe Elementary School is anIB World School and is home to a diverse population of learners from pre-k through 5th grade. The school’s mission is to ensure that each child experiences unique opportunities to become innovative problem solvers in an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation.
This is the 14th Anniversary Playground Build. It is the 13th year the group will partner with CMS to build a playground at one of its schools. The Playground Leadership Team raises the money and organizes the manpower with the support of Hands On Charlotte. Coverage on Build Day is welcome.
Charlotte is the only city in America that has sustained a playground build program with corporate volunteer support since 2003. Legacy Partners are Carolinas HealthCare System and Charlotte Center City Partners. Visit our website at charlotteplaygroundbuild.com.