Targeting an Important Cause
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP, Lawrence County — Mary Chitwood saw a need, then set out to do something about it.
A 1998 graduate of Butler Area High School and U.S. Army veteran, Chitwood wanted to help female veterans who are struggling to transition back to civilian life.
“Women who served and who are having trouble, there's not the same help available to them as men have,” she said. “There was no temporary place in this area for them to stay if they are homeless or have low-income jobs.”
Chitwood had the desire to change that, but an incredibly generous gesture helped put her plan in motion.“I had met Dennis Baglier (former president of the Butler PM Rotary Club) through a mutual friend. I told him of my plan and that I had a house in mind three years ago.“He turned around and bought that house for me to use. It was extremely generous and I thought, 'This is really happening!'”“Mary had the whole program put together. All she needed was a house,” Baglier said. “It's nice to be able to support a veterans organization that is local.”The three-story home is at 401 East Pearl Street in Butler. Chitwood is in the process of paying rent and will eventually own the house.“It sat empty for 20 years and it needed a lot of work. I spent 17 months working on the first and second floor, but had a lot of help,” she said. “Veterans from the area performed a lot of the labor and the improvements were paid for by donations from individuals and local veterans organizations.”Chitwood named the house after Robin Arnold, a friend and fellow veteran who died in 2017.
Robin's Home was born and it opened 16 months ago.“We've had between 10 and 12 women come to us and they're all so grateful that this place exists,” said Chitwood, founder and executive director of Robin's Home, which assists female veterans and their children from Butler, Armstrong, Clarion, Lawrence and Mercer counties.The house includes six separate bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms and several community rooms, including a kitchen, living room and meeting room. Flags representing each branch of the military are displayed on the front porch.“It's the only place of its kind in Western Pa. We help the women look for employment, apply for disability benefits, whatever they need,” Chitwood said.
The Butler P.M. Rotary held a clay shoot to benefit Robin's Home Saturday at Castlewood Rod and Gun Club outside of New Castle. Cost of participating in the shoot was $125 per shooter and included prizes, golf cart and lunch.“The registration fees paid for use of the range, the carts and lunch,” Chitwood said. “The money received from sponsors and raffle baskets will be split 50/50, with Robin's Home and the Rotary both receiving half.“The money the home receives from this will go toward operating costs, including utilities.”Castlewood includes 17 shooting stations on 100 acres of land. Forty shooters turned out for the event.
Loretta Smith-Jones is one of the veterans who has been assisted by Robin's Home, where she has lived for the past year. Showing up at Saturday's shoot was important to her.“I wanted people to see that this program is worthy. It really does change women's lives,” said Smith-Jones, who will soon move into her own apartment, also on Pearl Street.“I wanted to stay close (to Robin's Home) because I've made true friends in the community.“Mary is an awesome person and she's my staunch supporter,” Smith-Jones said. “I'm 61 years old and I feel like I'm starting a new chapter in my life.”
