DOWAGIAC — A dozen Southwestern Michigan College volunteers got Patrick Hamilton Elementary School’s community build off to a swift start May 17.

SMC unpacked new playground equipment, provided preliminary assembly and dug post holes so poured concrete footings could set before final installation May 18.

Jason Smith, Tony Walker, Dave Layman, Danielle Lucas, AJ Most, Brent Brewer, Stephanie Lyons, Andrea Swartz, Heather Hess, Eric Clayborn, Heather Zile and Angie Evans teamed up to put the project ahead of schedule.

Brewer, SMC’s chief of staff, and Lucas, also a Dowagiac City Council member, attended Patrick Hamilton. Lucas’ daughter will be a student there in two years.

Seven new pieces were purchased with a $28,000 Pokagon Fund grant Principal Heather Nash applied for before her sudden death last December.

The PTO secured a memorial bench for late Patrick Hamilton Elementary Principal Heather Nash. There will also be trees planted, with a fall dedication planned for the improvements to the 2009 playground the community helped build.