PNC Volunteers Transform Toledo Playgrounds for 550 Kids

Picture a classroom where getting dirty isn't just allowed but encouraged, where tomatoes become science lessons and worms teach kids about ecosystems.

That's exactly what PNC volunteers helped create Thursday morning at two Toledo Day Nursery locations. Dozens of bank employees rolled up their sleeves to plant vegetable gardens, spread fresh mulch, and prepare outdoor learning spaces for children from infancy through age five.

The timing couldn't have been better. The project coincided with Teacher Appreciation Week and Toledo Day Nursery's 155th anniversary of serving local families.

"Our curriculum is children should be dirty," said Julia Myers of Toledo Day Nursery. "They need to be getting into dirt. They need to be exploring with worms and learning about ecosystems."

Volunteer crews tackled everything from weeding to moving dirt for natural playgrounds. They planted tomatoes, potatoes, and herb gardens that children will help maintain throughout the year. Each tomato plant becomes a lesson in patience and growth. Every herb picked teaches kids where food actually comes from.

The effort comes through PNC's Grow Up Great initiative, which prioritizes early childhood education programs. Regional President Bill McDonnell said supporting young learners remains essential for the community's future.

"Because the youth in our community are so important to be there for them," McDonnell said. "They're here to learn, they're here to grow, and this is just a nice way for us to help them grow."

The Ripple Effect

The gardens do more than teach science. Myers explained that watching community members work together to improve their school gives children powerful lessons in social and emotional development.

"This is how we care for our communities," Myers said. "This is how we give back to one another."

The children will see volunteers return, watch their vegetables grow from seeds to harvest, and learn that caring for something takes time and teamwork. Those lessons extend far beyond any traditional classroom wall.

The PNC Foundation added another thoughtful touch. They provided lunch for volunteers and gave $200 Lakeshore Learning gift cards to teachers and staff members at both locations, turning appreciation into practical classroom resources.

When those 550 children return to their transformed playgrounds, they'll find spaces designed for wonder, discovery, and yes, getting a little dirty.