June 24, 2008 —The Bane Elementary School and Dean Middle School campuses underwent intensive makeovers last weekend as hundreds of volunteers from Community of Faith and several other local churches participated in the One Prayer Community Project.

Beginning in the early morning of Friday, June 20 and concluding during the wee hours of Sunday, June 22, the volunteers helped beautify and transform the schools with brand new playground equipment, painting, landscaping and other improvement efforts. They also held a “Books and Backpacks” drive in conjunction with the service project to provide new books for the Bane library and backpacks for its less fortunate students.

Bane (opened in 1936) and Dean (opened in 1955) are among CFISD’s 10 original campuses.

Almost $75,000 worth of playground equipment was donated to Bane, including new soccer goals and a running track. Picnic tables and park benches were installed on the property and privacy slats were inserted around the perimeter fence. Interior renovations included new lighting and a brand new donated refrigerator.

Local businesses Chick-fil-A, Texas Roadhouse and HEB donated food and drinks for all the volunteers.

Other churches participating in the project included Foundry United Methodist Church, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Connextions Church, Christ Church NW Houston, Cypress Vineyard, Cypress Family Fellowship and Celebration Church.

Bane principal Virginia Marez said she was moved to tears when she saw the completed project.

“I can’t wait for the kids to get back and we can tell them, ‘Look, this is what you deserve.’ The impact it’s going to make on them is incredible,” Marez said. “I want my kids to know people believe in them and give them the confidence that ‘you are capable.’ When you have all this support and encouragement, all these people behind you and believing in you, it makes an incredible amount of difference.”

Volunteers rake fresh dirt outside of Bane Elementary School during the One Prayer Community Project on Friday, June 20.

Volunteers load some of Bane’s old playground equipment onto a Bobcat during the service project.

A volunteer applies painter’s tape around a light fixture before painting an overhang on Bane’s exterior.

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