McCarthy Heart Hats Volunteers Use Construction Know-How to Install Desperately-Needed Playground
As the new school year gets back in session, volunteers from local construction firm McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (www.mccarthy.com) joined with Bayless School District representatives, parents and students to celebrate the installation of a brand new playground for the students of Bayless Intermediate School in South St. Louis. Total cost for the project was approximately $30,000. The children and teachers themselves raised $7,000 over the last three years trying to obtain new playground equipment. McCarthy volunteers, through the company’s Heart Hats community outreach program, with assistance from Collins and Hermann Inc. and Metro Materials, donated approximately $25,000 and all labor necessary to complete the project.
“In these economic times, it is harder than ever to fund necessary school improvements to ensure our students have a well-rounded experience,” commented Kim Stallons, principal of Bayless Intermediate School. “We have all heard the pleas for school supplies and backpacks, but educators also know that providing students with a safe environment to expend extra energy is just as important for overall success. When numerous grant requests and a call into Oprah didn’t pan out, we knew we would have to find a different way. Community partners like McCarthy are critical to making projects like this one happen across our region.”
Prior to this new construction, the 450 students enrolled at Bayless Intermediate School shared five swings from the 1960s, one tetherball pole and a few beat up nerf footballs. McCarthy’s work included: installation of new commercial playground equipment and swings, 21 tons of shock-absorbing rubber play area surfacing; and 290 lineal feet of play area surfacing containment. In addition, volunteers will complete maintenance of existing facilities including demolition of outdated equipment, play field re-seeding, painting of existing basketball goals/tether ball poles and soccer goal net installation.
“As a St. Louis builder, making a difference for the children here at home is a top priority,” explained McCarthy Central Division President Scott Wittkop. “I know I speak for all McCarthy employees when I express the joy we feel being able to put our skills to task to help make an impact. We hope the children of Bayless will be able to let loose and ‘be kids’ in a safe environment for years to come.”
About Bayless Intermediate School
Bayless Intermediate School is a school for children in grades 3–6 in St. Louis County. With approximately 450 students enrolled representing 18 countries, Bayless is one of the poorest school districts in the County. Over 64% of the students receive either free or reduced lunches and 45% of the students speak English as a second language. More information is available on line at www.baylessk12.org.
About McCarthy Heart Hats|
Founded in 1864, McCarthy is one of the oldest privately held construction firms in the nation. The McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play. A 100 percent employee-owned company, McCarthy employees are as passionate about building better communities as they are about construction. With national headquarters in St. Louis, the company has additional offices in Atlanta, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, Newport Beach, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento. More information is available on line at www.mccarthy.com.
