The support was almost overwhelming. The end product was a playground for East Tampa children.
About 500 volunteers and seven National Football League players pitched in last week to install swings, a jungle gym, benches, planters and art outside the King's Kids Christian Academy, 3301 N. 22nd Ave.
The estimated value of donations, playground equipment and labor was about $50,000. "The academy would not have been able to do this without bringing this project to the community," said Toni Watts, chief executive officer of Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa.
The nonprofit agency was among several that sponsored the playground-building project. Others included the NFL, Kaboom!, The Home Depot and Hillsborough Community College.
It was all about community, said LaShae White, 17. "People you don't even know are having conversations and working together."
Keith Saunders, 18, enjoyed meeting football stars, including Steve Smith and Brian Dawkins. But, he said, "We're doing something for the community. We're making a new place for the kids."
Richard Smiley and Larry Williams took a vacation from their jobs at Hillsborough Community College to help supervise the playground installation. "We thought it would be a good endeavor," Williams said. "It's been greater than that."
Kathy Steele
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