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Hilton PTA Unveils Playground

Jared Worley
Staff Writer

It was a day that many residents of the Hiltons community had lived for – the official opening of the long-awaited playground equipment at their elementary school.

Regina Lunsford, president of the Hilton Elementary School PTA, and Principal Tim Spicer showcased their new playground facility to students and the community on Friday.  This once four-year-old dream has now become a reality.

"This is a realization of a long drawn-out process. I thank everyone that participated in the construction and donations," said Spicer

Lunsford, Vice Presidents Shannon Stockard and Dianne Simpson, Treasurer Rebecca McDavid and Secretary Michelle Collier oversaw the goal originally planned by the previous PTA board.

The initial goal was to raise money to build a playground facility for the students and the community to use. Donations poured in from every realm including some from previous Hilton Elementary students who dropped off checks in the office urging others to do the same.

Organizers planned school activities like their Fall Festival and Spring Fling. More people than ever before attended the two events which raised nearly double the amount of money in previous years. Other programs like the Santa Shop and fish frys also raised money for the cause.

Lunsford extended appreciation for donations including the largest donation coming from the DanPaul Foundation and to the youngest donation from student, Brianna Waterson.

When all the donations and earning were counted, the PTA had raised $38,000.

"We set out with one goal, and the donations and help poured in and we were able to go above and beyond what we ever imagined," said Lunsford.

With the money in hand, the school was able to purchase a 20-foot climbing wall, new swings, gyminee, merry-go-round, climbing dome, buck-a-bout, and the Parallel Play 2.

One of the largest feats was to erect the structures, and potentially one of the most expensive. Volunteers arrived by the handfuls to assist during the construction phase.

Even the students helped where they could. When Lunsford was asked by a student, who was anxious to enjoy the new equipment, when can we play? She told him when the mulch was spread.

"You couldn't believe how fast the mulch was spread," she said.

The new facility has already been an asset and become a focal point in the community.

"We felt the playground was a necessity, and we wanted something that the school and the community could be proud of," said Lunsford.

Lunsford has been president of the PTA for three years and the treasurer the previous four years.

"$38,000 for equipment, $3,000 for mulch, and the looks of the faces of the children when I told them they could play was priceless," she concluded, reminiscent of a familiar MasterCard slogan. 

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