With a whole lot of heart and handiwork, the generosity of Chevron employees gave L.F.Smith Elementary School students something they’ve wanted for a long time – a place to play.

More than 170 Chevron employees volunteered their time and labor over a two-day period to construct a playground on the L.F. Smith campus. On a breezy Saturday afternoon, once the final bolts had been tightened and the final shovels of mulch were added, the ribbon was cut and children took off in a sprint to test out the new recreational area.

“Chevron approached us out of the blue and asked us what they could do to help our campus,” said Cathy Danna, L.F. Smith principal. “I just cannot say enough about the army of volunteers that dedicated their time to make this project come true. They are doing so much to benefit our students. We are excited about the playground and very thankful to Chevron.”

The volunteers, working in conjunction with Adventure Playgrounds, performed the work on Chevron’s Community Day of Caring on Oct. 12-13. In addition to the construction of the playground, Chevron volunteers performed landscaping and painting projects around the campus.

“They volunteered to help in any way possible,” Danna said. “They saw other needs such as landscaping and painting and have stepped up to take care of them.”

Randy Curry, president of Chevron Natural Gas, said the company has looked to perform a community enhancement project in the Pasadena-South Houston area – and L.F. Smith’s needs were a perfect fit.

“We are delighted to help out L.F. Smith and these kids,” Curry said. “This is a close-knit community and we just wanted to give something back that could be enjoyed for many years to come.”

Pasadena ISD Superintendent Kirk Lewis called the volunteer effort “amazing.”

“What you’ve done here is remarkable and the students and teachers of this school – and myself – will never forget it,” he told Chevron’s volunteers. “There were people working on this project from the crack of dawn to late in the evening. It shows the great heart you have in bringing the community together.

“In our schools, the focus on academics is vitally important, but what is even just as important is letting kids be kids,” Lewis added. “This playground gives kids that opportunity. You have truly made a difference.”

Shortly after those comments, it was time to cut the ribbon to the new playground. One cut of the scissors and as the large group of kids looked anxiously, Lewis grinned and told the kids, “go play!”

Bolting to the playground, they did just that.