Clairton resident Mary Glover doesn't mind getting her hands dirty when it comes to rebuilding her beloved city.
When the Community Economic Development Corporation of Clairton partnered with the Junior League of Pittsburgh and KaBoom! to help build a playground for children on Clairton's south side, Glover knew she had to be involved.
She hopes other residents will show up to help build the playground from the ground up in one day: Sept. 20. Work starts at 8 a.m.
"This playground will benefit the people in the community because it will give the residents who have kids some place to go," said Glover, co-chair of the playground committee and CEDCC member. "Volunteers don't need to have experience. We'll all be broken up into teams, and we will be given an assignment. Volunteers will be provided meals throughout the build day."
The project was designed by about 30 Clairton children who put crayon to paper and drew their dream playgrounds. Elements of the children's playgrounds will be implemented into the finished project, which will be built at the corner of Mitchell and Reed streets.
"It's a really great and inspiring experience that the kids designed their own playground, and volunteers are building it," said Alicia Andrews, Junior League of Pittsburgh representative and KaBoom! committee chairwoman.
The Junior League of Pittsburgh is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism and developing the potential of women and improving communities through the efforts of action and leadership.
"We strive to help communities rebuild themselves," said KaBoom! spokesman Mike Vietti. "If we can help a community come together to build a playground in one day, then anything is possible. Great things can happen."
The playground will be the third that Washington, D.C.-based KaBoom! has built in the Pittsburgh area. The national, nonprofit organization envisions a place to play within walking distance of every child in America.
Playgrounds have already been built in Turtle Creek and North Side.
CEDCC officials estimate the playground will cost about $40,000. While most of the money will come from the Junior League, the CEDCC raised $7,500 toward the project.
"We went door to door putting out information to different groups in Clairton asking for help," Glover said.
As a result, grading of the site and tools to put together the equipment will be donated by various people, including City of Clairton employees.
"We're still encouraging people to come out and volunteer," Glover said.
The CEDCC is a grassroots volunteer organization geared toward improving the economic conditions in Clairton. Started in 1987, its mission is to strengthen and enhance the community for economic and social growth to create a healthy environment for all.
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