It wasn't all work for the children. The students were able to meet and play with their favorite Eagles. Offensive tackle Jon Runyan is used to getting dirty in the trenches of the football field, but on Thursday his hands were soiled while planting flowers with the students. Wide receiver Jabar Gaffney danced to music with a group of schoolgirls.

"It's great being able to see smiles on everyone's faces here in the community," said quarterback Donovan McNabb. "We are all little kids at heart out here. This is a great neighborhood and maybe all they need is a little bit of positive reinforcement. Hopefully, we can add that."

After a long day of service, one in which the weather cooperated by not raining, a ceremony was held to dedicate the new playground to the school. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter opened the ceremony by speaking to the students, emphasizing how the Eagles are there to support the students as they try to achieve their goals.

The Eagles and the students of Heston Elementary may have only spent one day together, but it was one that will shape the lives of the children and future students forever.

"This is clearly the biggest and most dramatic project that I've seen us do," said Eagles president Joe Banner. "These kids are going to come back to school and it's going to be a different place. It's an environment that is more conducive to learning and helps build confidence and sends them a message that there are people who care about them and want to see them do well."