Students, parents help clean up Aiken Elementary

Thousands of Aiken County School District students enjoyed spring break last week.

But four kids - sisters Shyla and Misty Kee, Deja Parker and Maggie Brown - were happy to come out to Aiken Elementary one day for "That Spring Thing," an outdoor cleanup session.

Maggie and Misty helped spread out new mulch for the school's environmental classroom.

"I love the outdoor classroom," said Maggie. "Every recess I always come out here and have fun."

Teacher Beth Eberhard has coordinated the outdoor educational program for about 10 years. She was joined last week by several parents and about 10 employees of Home Depot. The project, Eberhard said, would not have occurred without Shyla and Misty's mom, Erlita Kee.

"We have a dig in the dirt day each October," said Eberhard. "Erlita came to me afterward and said how she had worked for Home Depot in Arizona on projects. She just wouldn't let me say no to this. She's the one with the vision, getting Home Depot and RCS Rentals involved."

Kee moved to Aiken with her family last June. She, Eberhard and several Home Depot employees worked on providing new paint for a large replica of the United States map on a concrete play area. Several planter boxes were built around the school, with Home Depot donating the materials. Houndslake Country Club donated the mulch for the outdoor classroom.

"I just like to cause a ruckus," Kee said with a smile. "Mrs. Eberhart is an amazing teacher and is really challenging Shyla in science and math."

Cliff Songer, Home Depot's merchandising manager, said the company enjoys working with schools and other organizations that need help.

"Our employees volunteered on their own time," said Songer, who has two children of his own at East Aiken Elementary School of the Arts. "It's nice for our associates to get out of the store and give back a little bit."