It took the Decas Elementary PTA and the hard workers in its Playground Committee just about 15 months to raise approximately $31,000 to build a new playground at the school.

Most of the playground was torn down last May after its aging structures were deemed unsafe. Since then, volunteers have cleaned up and readied the area for its new equipment.

The playground has been purchased and will arrive on April 14.

The next hurdle?

"It's a community build," said Decas Elementary PTA President Ann Lavoie. "We have to do the labor ourselves."

The PTA and Playground Committee have some volunteers ready -- workers from Abbey Glass will be helping out with the build -- but more construction-savvy tradesmen who are able to do some heavy-lifting to get the playground up are needed.

Can't help with labor, but want to help in another way?

Hi-Way Concrete will be providing the cement for the build, but the Playground Committee needs donations of Home Depot gift cards to buy supplies, including an auger, railroad ties, mulch, and timbers.

The build will be completed on April 14 from 7 a.m. until sundown. Food will be provided. The rain date will be April 15.

If you volunteer at least two hours of time, you'll get the satisfaction of knowing you helped out Wareham children -- and you'll also be entered to win some Red Sox tickets. Not bad, huh?

Because of the nature of the build (it will be a construction zone), children under age 18 will not be permitted during the build process.

To volunteer or donate, call 508-612-5087 or e-mail decaspta@yahoo.com.