WHITE LAKE, MI - When the bell rings at 12:15 p.m. at Oxbow Community School, a mob of fourth- and fifth-graders slam through the doors onto the playground for recess.

They race to the best swings, compete for the best soccer ball and scream like they're at a rock concert.
 
Recently, the school got something it's deserved for a long time — a brand new playground structure to replace equipment that came with the school 35 years ago when it opened.

The structure was donated by Laborers' Local 1076 and Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET), an organization that gives back to the community. The LECET program was founded 10 years ago to demonstrate how cooperative efforts between union contractors and union labor could positively impact a community.

Read more about the playground here .

Other tidbits from the article:

• The LECET funds were in addition to funds raised by the Parent Council.
• Oxbow was chosen when LECET heard of their efforts to improve the playground, Berry said. The organization has donated other structures to schools in Pontiac.
• Some nice thoughts from Principal Peg Barry that would make a nice inclusion into any proposal:  "When union labor and management join forces for the common good, great things happen," Berry said. "We teach children the importance of teamwork and now they are able to see it in a tangible state. We teach our students to give back to the community... They received a powerful message through the gift of this play structure."