Only 400 tickets will be sold for the upcoming ham dinner at West Side Elementary School. The dinner is part of ongoing fundraising efforts by the Parent Teacher Advisory Council to fund a new playground on the track-side of the school. It will take place on Sunday, April 24 at the West Side cafeteria from Noon to 3 p.m.

“The playground we have is safe, but outdated, and it doesn’t give them very much to do,” said Principal John Wright.

He said some of the safety devices are no longer there and the playground is not handicap-accessible.

“So our handicap students do anything on the playground,” he said.

The new playground will be accessible for the community after school hours and on weekends, PTAC member Regina May said.

“That playground is open to the community after hours and all summer long, so as part of our plan, we envision creating recreational areas for the community, and we want to teach our children to lead a healthy active lifestyle,” said May.

The estimated cost is $85,000, and she said PTAC has raised about $14,000 thus far. PTAC is in the application process for non-profit status, and if granted, it will qualify for grant funding.

“Once we get the 501(c)(3) status, we’ll be able to apply for several larger grants, and with luck, we hope to break ground next school year,” said May.

She said if donors share their passion and want to make a donation, they should contact PTAC.

All proceeds from the dinner will  go towards the playground project. The dinner will include ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, roll, dessert and drink for $9. Attendees may dine in or take food home. Tickets may be available at the door, but Wright recommended calling the school to purchase them in advance as the tickets are limited.

Walmart is sponsoring the dinner with food and volunteers, for which Wright said are very grateful.

First Assist Urgent Care is awarding four door prizes to select ticketholders, and winners do not have to be present to claim their prizes.

The class with the highest ticket sales will be awarded a chaperoned pool party and lunch at EHS with Principal Wright. Second and third place class winners will get to eat lunch at Kiwanis Park with Principal Wright. The deadline for class ticket sales is April 22.

During the dinner, Wright will present the West Side fit video which will feature staff and students being active.

Tickets will be available at the school beginning on April 15. To purchase tickets, contact the school at 547-8030. For more information or ticket delivery, email May at reginamay@chartertn.net.