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November 1, 2022

Building Dreams at the 18th Annual Playground Build

On Friday, October 28, approximately 300 volunteers from 13 local companies, came together to deliver the gift of a brand new playground at Marie G. Davis School as part of the 18th Charlotte Playground Build.

Since the early 2000s, corporate volunteers in Charlotte have been gathering every year to help fund and install a new playground at the campus of a Title 1 school in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools system. The beneficiary school is selected in consultation with CMS based on the age of the school’s current playground equipment. The event presents an opportunity for Charlotte’s corporate community to support public schools through volunteer engagement.

In addition to installing the new playground equipment, volunteers also:

  • Put down 150 cubic yards of playground mulch
  • Built 20 benches
  • Re-fenced and revamped the outdoor garden area
  • Painted murals inside and outside
  • Created sidewalk art across the school campus

“I want to thank everyone that came out to support our school to do great things in the community and show our students that we are all in this together. I want to thank United Way and I want to thank the volunteers. I also want to thank CMS for partnering with United Way. For years to come, we’re going make sure that each and every school has the Playground Build and beautification so students can enjoy. Thank you,” Principal Dr. Phillip J. Johnson said.

Special shout out to this year’s sponsors:

  • Financial Independence Group
  • Lowe’s
  • Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
  • Novant Health
  • Atrium Health
  • Carolina Panthers
  • First Horizon Bank
  • First National Bank
  • Charlotte Center City Partners
  • Frito-Lay
  • Messer Construction
  • Salesforce
  • JE Dunn
  • Zachry

We are incredibly thankful to our volunteers for all their hard work and to our sponsors for their support. The students are going to love their new playground!

View photos from the event.

If you or your team is interested in being part of a future playground build, contact Bob Young at byoung@uwcentralcarolinas.org.