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Austin, TX (December 20, 2016) –
Construction crews for both Lee Lewis Construction and Hellas Construction and members of the community participated in the Toys for Tots drive at the newest Dripping Springs Elementary/Middle school that is under construction. People were asked to bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to Toys for Tots and in return, they would be treated to a delicious lunch of barbeque, hamburgers, and pizza with all the trimmings. Community members were also given a chance to see the progress of the facility that is planned to open June 2017.
State Representative Jason Isaac was in attendance with one of his sons. They live in Dripping Springs, very close to the new school. Isaac heard about the Toys for Tots drive from a neighbor that was working on the project and he was anxious to bring toys and attend. Isaac said, “The school has been in the planning for at least four years. We are very excited about this school.” Isaac’s youngest son will be able to attend the new school.
Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing and his two sons Christopher and Dominic were at the toy drive to donate. His younger son, Dominic, will attend the new school along with his two younger siblings that were not in attendance. “We are very happy with the progress,” said Dr. Gearing. “This will be our fourth elementary and second middle school,” he said. “It’s been a long process in design. We had 49 acres that initially we were going to build an elementary and a middle school on. Looking at everything and how we could save money, we thought, why not build them together. Everything can divided,” he said.
The Dripping Springs instructional facility, name to be announced in January, is a combination of an elementary and a middle school in one. One whole side of the school will be elementary and the other half will be middle school. Even the cafeteria will have a dividing curtain or wall. “It’s a great concept,” said Leroy Beaver, Lee Lewis Construction superintendent. Lee Lewis Construction is the General Contractor for the project. “I think more districts are going to start doing this,” he said. The library will also be split-level. The playground will be on the backside of the school and the football stadium will be on the left side of the school. The stadium will feature Hellas’
Matrix® turf
football field,
Hellas’
S200
epiQ Tracks
running track and field events areas, bleachers, and concession stand. Hellas is installing its
Grasso® turf
in a few areas inside the school also. “We love Hellas,” said Beaver. He is happy to work with Hellas on the project. “We have worked with them in the past, they are great,” Beaver said.
The Marines had a trailer full of toys by the end of the event. Corporal Andrew Marshall, a representative of Toys for Tots, said, “This is fantastic! It says a lot about the community to want to get involved in this. It has put me in the Christmas spirit,” said Marshall. “Seeing so many people donate to people they don’t even know is amazing.”
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