MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

They began working early in the morning assembling benches, pouring concrete foundations and painting parts of the blacktop as young students watched a part of their school undergo major improvements.

By the afternoon, finishing touches were placed on a red and blue playground set with a spiral slide, monorail, see-saw and sliding pole. Volunteers finished a mural made out of mosaics on wall near the cafeteria. Six newly painted basketball backboards and a painted replica of the United States on the blacktop were left to dry.

"This is going to be a real treat for the children," said Pat Halberstadt of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, which along with nonprofit KaBoom! brought the project to Rosita Elementary.

The majority of the 200 volunteers were from Amway's Nutrilite manufacturing facility in Buena Park. Amway has worked with KaBoom!, which brings together businesses and other groups to build playgrounds, skate parks, fields and ice rinks throughout the country, on similar projects.

"It's a really nice experience," said Jose Lopez, a Nutrilite employee who was a team captain for a group of volunteers. He said it was also an opportunity for his colleagues to interact and bond.

Rosita Principal Melanie Salazar said the $40,000 project replaced an outdated playground built in the 1950s. Arched monkey bars, metal swings, ground covering made out of recycled tire material were torn out last week to make way for the new equipment.

"It was not in the best shape," Salazar said. "I truly feel lucky they chose us."

Students will be able to play on the new equipment during the first week of December after the school district polishes up the project, Salazar said.

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