Rotarians meet in Cranberry, build playhouse as project
CRANBERRY TWP — A local nonprofit organization is reaping the benefits of an annual Rotarian convention held in the township this weekend.
The annual district conference began Friday at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township with Rotarians from 42 clubs throughout District 7280 coming together to discuss how to continue giving back to their communities.
Members from the various clubs heard keynote speakers, discussed different tactics for service, participated in outdoor activities and completed a project for Habitat for Humanity.
That project included the construction of a playhouse for the Victim Outreach Intervention Center in Butler. According to Briana Gloeckl, an outreach representative for the organization, the playhouse is a shed-like structure that has a porch and windows, and will offer a safe space to play for children whose families may be staying or working at the shelter.
Gloeckl said often, when adults are fleeing domestic violence or are working toward goals at the shelter, children can feel left out.
“Children can kind of fall through the cracks sometimes, so this allows us to make sure they are getting what they need on a fun level,” she said. “It's another way we can get them involved outside.”
Ken Fleeson, Rich-Mar Rotary Club president, said the project was pitched by Habitat for Humanity officials. He said past district conference projects included packaging meals for the needy and planting trees.
The playhouse, however, was a new challenge, as many of those volunteering had no prior construction experience. That didn't stop them from hammering nails, sawing wood, painting boards and raising the structure's roof on Saturday morning.
“They're learning very fast,” Fleeson said.
The project was dedicated Saturday afternoon, and is expected to be delivered to VOICe on Monday. Fleeson said the structure will be placed on a trailer using a forklift for transport.
Other events throughout the weekend included speakers Scott Dudley, a representative from Rotary International's president's office, and Amanda Ottman, a global connections officer for the organization. Ottman spent Saturday morning helping with the construction project.
Also addressing the attendees was David Talbot who contracted polio at age 2, and has since battled the disease on several occasions. Along the way, he created Crutches 4 Africa, which has delivered more than 100,000 crutches to people in need in Africa and elsewhere.
A golf outing at Cranberry Highlands Golf Course was held on Friday, and a 5K race with proceeds donated to a mission to end polio took place on Saturday at North Boundary Park.
According to Kathy Corcoran, public image chairwoman for the district, there were several local clubs participating in the weekend's events, including clubs from Zelienople, two from Cranberry, Rich-Mar, Evans City, two from Butler, Slippery Rock, Portersville-Prospect and Chicora.
