Belmont Central Elementary dedicated a new swing set for second and third graders on Friday, October 6 thanks to the efforts of fifth-grade student Lilly Floyd.

Lilly's idea started nearly two years when she noticed that while she and her classmates were having fun on the fourth and fifth grades playground, the second and third grades playground did not have a swing set.

“It’s really not fair,” explained Lilly. “When I swing, I feel like I’m flying, and I want the second and third graders to have that feeling as well.”

Lilly raised $11,000 by selling nearly 4,000 Blow Pops crafted as 'Boo' and 'Friendship' pops and having a raffle and lemonade stand. Employees at Duke Energy's Allen Steam Station raised $4,000, installed the swing set, and helped Lilly and her parents spread 24 tons of mulch over the playground area.

The Belmont Central PTO purchased a bench and presented a granite stone in honor of Lilly. On it is a quote from "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."