08/04/2026
Let's help these kids, Iredell Community!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bh5WWfGgR/
PLEASE support the Iredell County Ruritan Clubs joint project with Grill4God, United Way of Iredell, Suds of Hope, and Third Creek Elementary PTO to help build a new playground for the kids!
Get ready for a delicious way to make a difference! Join us for a Chicken Dinner Fundraiser benefiting new ADA-accessible playground equipment for the students of Third Creek Elementary School.
Every ticket purchased helps create a playground where every child can play, explore, and belong.
Bring your family, invite your friends, and enjoy a great meal for an even greater cause — because good food tastes even better when it helps build smiles and inclusive play for our community’s kids!
Every penny tells a story. Keep reading to hear a heartfelt story from the principal who works with these remarkable children every day, and discover why your support of Pennies for the Playground will help create a place where every child can play, learn, and belong.
Use the ORDER QR code in the flyer below to order dinners for your family or office OR use the VOLUNTEER QR code to help out with the event.
A note from Principal Carla Moorefield:
"Several years ago, two drive-by shootings occurred just hours apart in the same neighborhood. Three children—ages 8, 9, and 10—were shot while playing outside at a family member’s home.
Two of the children, cousins, were simply enjoying time together when their lives were shattered. Tragically, the 8-year-old later died from her injuries. These were Third Creek students. Their story is not an isolated one; it is part of a painful reality for many of the children we serve. Hearing gunshots each evening is something that occurs frequently.
For our students, outdoor play is not something they can take for granted. Many live in communities where playing outside is often not safe—where gun violence, drugs, and unsafe conditions are all too common.
This makes our school playground more than just a place to play—it is a vital sanctuary. A space where children can feel safe, express themselves freely, and experience the joy and innocence of childhood.
This fall, Third Creek Elementary will celebrate 24 years of serving students and families in our community. We are proud of the resilience, growth, and strength of our students. But one urgent need continues to go unmet: a safe and updated playground.
We currently serve approximately 550 students each year. Our student population is made up of 45% African American, 35% Hispanic, and 20% Caucasian children.
Nearly 90% of them qualify for free or reduced lunch. Many of these students live in high-poverty neighborhoods, where opportunities for safe, active outdoor play are extremely limited or non-existent.
Recess at school is often their only chance to run, climb, imagine, and play freely in a secure space. Yet our playground—the same one built when the school opened 24 years ago—is one of the oldest in the district.
Much of the equipment is broken or outdated, and we lack the financial resources to replace it.
Unlike many schools, we do not have a large PTO or established fundraising infrastructure. Raising tens of thousands of dollars for a new playground is a daunting task—but one that we know is necessary and urgent.
Our students deserve more.
They deserve a place that reflects their value. A modern, inclusive, and safe playground would not only bring joy—it would build confidence, community, and connection. It would be a space where students of all abilities and backgrounds could come together, learn through play, and feel proud of the environment they’re in.
A well-designed play area can transform more than just recess. It uplifts the entire school climate. It becomes a source of pride, helps students build social and emotional resilience, and supports their physical and mental well-being.
We hope you will consider helping us make this dream a reality for the children of Third Creek Elementary. Your support can bring safety, joy, and hope to hundreds of young lives."
