SANFORD, NC - Last spring, the Deep River Elementary Student Council set a monumental goal of raising $35,000 for new playground equipment for last year’s school fundraiser. Today, after successful community fundraising by students and a generous $35,000 donation from Wake Stone Corporation, the student council not only surpassed their fundraising goal, they were able to upgrade playground equipment for both the upper and lower grade playgrounds at the school.
All together with the boost from Wake Stone Corporation and several other community partners, the students and staff at Deep River were able to raise over $60,000 in their single fundraiser for the year.
“This moment has been a long time in the making, and we certainly could not have achieved it without the tremendous support of our community partners,” emphasized new Deep River Elementary School Principal Emily Coggins. “Every single donation, big or small, has played a crucial role in bringing this dream to life. Your belief in the importance of play, creativity, and community shines through today, and we are truly grateful.”
The Student Council group set their eyes on a Fun Run, held in May of 2024, as an opportunity to raise funds to improve the playground equipment on the lower grade playground at the school. They researched several options of equipment to be included in the new design, settling on options that totaled $35,000 in cost.
While advisors and the school administration at the time were doubtful about being able to raise the full amount in a single year, the students never wavered in their commitment to do something great for their school. One email from a teacher at the school, Tamara Tillett, to Wake Stone Corporation, changed everything.
Wake Stone returned Tillett’s email, prompting a phone call where they informed her that they wanted to fund the whole project, all $35,000. “This is a special and small community,” said John Doak, Area Sales Manager for the Moncure Quarry of Wake Stone Corporation, “Wake Stone is lucky to be a part of some wonderful communities at our various operations and Deep River is certainly one of those. We feel very fortunate to have been able to lend a hand to Deep River Elementary and help this project along.”
Coggins explained, “These playgrounds will be a place where our students can laugh, run, explore and create lasting memories. It will be a space where friendships are built, imaginations run wild, and most importantly, where every child feels included and valued.”
