AM Rotary celebrates playground upgrade, years of service
Years in the making, Butler AM Rotary on Sunday commemorated its latest achievement and its years of public service.
As children played on the equipment of the Butler Memorial Park’s playground, Steven Green Sr., thanked all those who made the the playground’s revitalization possible.
“We got it done,” Green said. “Just like we always do. Right Rotarians?”
The outing also served a secondary purpose of celebrating the club’s 25th anniversary, which was Aug. 5.
Preluding a moment of prayer, Rotarian Ron Vodenichar, the Butler Eagle’s publisher, said the AM group’s work over the years’ has been honorable.
“I’ve been amazed over the 25 years of what you’ve done,” Vodenichar said. “You should be congratulated for that.”
The Butler Memorial Park’s playground is the latest of those accomplishments. Being finished in 2019, the park’s dedication was delayed due to lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its current form, the playground offers two pieces of former equipment that have been refurbished, a jungle gym and swing.
“I came here on a Saturday and painted those poles myself,” said Green, pointing to a set of four swings hanging from bright red poles. “The park was in bad shape. The timing was perfect.”
In its work, the Rotary also removed another defunct jungle gym and added four new ones. Green said the installation of the jungle gyms happened in a matter of days, and it was an all-hands-on-deck scenario leading up to installation day.
“In all, we had to dig 60-some holes the day before installation,” Green said. “It was a huge effort.”
According to Green, fundraising for the effort began in 2017 and raised about $165,000. He said county officials were also instrumental in helping gain additional grant funding.
Green said the club also plans to perform annual upkeep on the playground, too.
“I think our club has a huge sense of pride when it comes to this project,” Green said. “We were hoping our work here provides some momentum. We stand ready to help wherever we can.”
For Rotarian Peggy Weckerly, the fruits of recent efforts align with the club’s origins. Weckerly has been involved with the club for 15 years, and she has been studying the club’s history.
A handful of members of the Butler PM Rotary split off to form the Butler AM Rotary in 1997, and as they did, they brought friends and family with them to form its original club roster of about 20 people.
“They wanted to meet early in the morning,” Weckerly said. “We can come here before we go to work.”
Weckerly said the first project the club tackled was a playground, and the result of more than three years of fundraising and work resulted in more than $500,000 raised and the completion of the Special Kids playground in the early 2000s in Alameda Park in Butler Township.
“That was one of the first playgrounds in Pennsylvania meant for children with disabilities to play on,” Weckerly said. “We’re very proud of that.”
Weckerly said even after 25 years, the club’s mission has remained the same.
“By banding together to put your effort and your skills together, you can do so much more,” she said.
