Special to The Mississippi Link
On May 5, 2009, Watkins Elementary School staff and students broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art playground, made possible in part by a $25,000 grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. The new playground is part of an overall wellness initiative at Watkins Elementary School.
After two years without play equipment, Watkins Elementary will finally be able to purchase and install a new playground at the school, creating a fun, safe outdoor environment for students to enjoy and learn the importance of physical fitness. The project is slated to be completed by the start of the fall 2009 school year.
“We are very grateful for Lowe’s being our major donor on this project and for inspiring others to contribute,” said Michelle King, principal of Watkins Elementary School. “The grant will help us provide our students with safe, up-to-date playground equipment, which is a very important step in the implementation of a total wellness package for our students – one that emphasizes exercise, nutrition and education. I can’t wait to see the children’s faces and hear their screams of joy when they see their new playground.”
“Lowe’s is committed to recognizing and supporting efforts that enrich the lives of our neighbors and customers,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “By supporting Watkins Elementary School, we are contributing to a cause that’s important to our customers and employees and helping build a stronger foundation for the children who will be tomorrow’s employees, homeowners and community leaders.”
The school’s PTA is still accepting donations for the playground project. Other project sponsors include the Hinds County Bar Association, Southern Farm Bureau, Junior League, Bank Plus, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and the National Council of Negro Women.
ABOUT WATKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Our mission at Watkins is to promote academic and social excellence in a safe and nurturing environment. Through innovative, engaging activities, students will become proficient readers and writers, critical thinkers, analytical problem solvers and lifelong learners.
ABOUT LOWE’S
Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity Inter-national, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country.
In 2008, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $25 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada.
Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2008 sales of $48.2 billion and has more than 1,650 stores in the United States and Canada.
For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.
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