Community Care Connections on Saturday hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Iron Man shelter built by AK Steel and its employees. Shown, from left, are: Sue Betres and Lynn Ellis, CCC board members; Ray Kalner, CCC staffer; Jim Osche and Cheri Newcomb with AK Steel; David Lawson and Stephanie Myers, CCC clients; Bryan Pirosko, donor; and Cassidy Penrod, CCC client.

FRANKLIN TWP — An organization that helps people with disabilities will be able to hold outdoor activities, rain or shine or even snow, thanks to a new pavilion built and paid for by AK Steel and its employees.

Community Care Connections on Saturday hosted a ceremony to celebrate the construction of the 1,000-square-foot Iron Man Pavilion.

“This would not have been possible without the folks from AK Steel,” said Pat Brennen, executive director. “We needed a facility to have outside that’s both safe and accessible, and this is beyond our expectations.”

Community Care Connections provides a variety of programs in Butler and the surrounding counties for children and adults with disabilities.

AK Steel got involved with the organization last fall during the United Way of Butler County’s Day of Caring.

Brennen said about 40 AK Steel employees visited the facility on Skyline Drive and listened to a presentation on its needs, specifically for a pavilion.

“It’s something we’ve wanted for about five years,” she said. “We just didn’t have the resources.”

AK Steel employees fundraised for three weeks, generating $15,000 for the project.

The AK Foundation pledged another $7,500 as a matching gift, while other donations continued to come in.

Brennen said the pavilion cost about $26,000.

The steel company’s management and employees built the pavilion over the summer, taking advantage of a variety of skills from the numerous workers.

Jim Osche, vice president of UAW Local 3303, said the project was a positive step for the union and the company.

“It brought the two groups together,” he said. “For a long time we haven’t worked together like this. Union and management both came out to work.”

Brennen said the organization plans to use the pavilion year-round, including at its annual Camp Apple Summer Day Camp from June to August.

She said the pavilion and its picnic tables are handicap accessible and safe for all of the people they serve, ranging from infants to adults.

While the pavilion is a great addition to the facility, Brennen said the relationship with AK Steel is not over.

She said the company and its employees are returning to take care of a variety of other smaller projects at the center in the next few weeks.

“Our relationship will continue to grow,” she said. “We’ve got new friends, and it’s thanks to the United Way.”