Free hot meal, activities provided
The graffiti is gone, and the new red roof on the shelter could be a symbol of hope at the renovated South Hills Playground at the corner of East Christie Avenue and Ritter Street.
It's also a place where children, ages 5 to 17, can participate in a free hot lunch and activity program organized by the Butler County Family YMCA.
The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and will continue until Aug. 25.
Children can attend as often as they want and registration is not required. During program hours, the playground is still open to anyone.
Luke Geiger, 14, rides his bike nearly a half mile to the playground every day and likes the summer program.
“I just like to enjoy the park and hang out with everyone,” he said.
His sister, Kylie Geiger, 11, also visits the South Hills program. She walks to the playground once or twice a week with Winston, the Geigers' Shih Tzu-Pomeranian mix.
The Butler Rotary Club PM was behind the playground renovation. It also approached Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County, a YMCA program, about starting organized activities at the playground.
“We really feel there is a need for children in the city to have a safe place to go in the afternoon, and the local neighborhood playgrounds are the perfect place,” said Millie Pinkerton, president of Butler Rotary Club PM.
Rotary's support is critical.
“They have donated a substantial amount for the program to run,” said Jaime Cypher, director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County. She manages the South Hills program.
“We do have a lot of kids that just come in. They need to eat,” Cypher said.
Although there are other summer meals for children in the county, this is the first time the YMCA has offered them.
Food service staff at the YMCA prepare the lunches for the playground and for a similar program at the YMCA, 339 N. Washington St., offered from noon to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday. After lunch, YMCA staff and volunteers from the Center for Community Resources lead an activity program.
Connie Downs, marketing and communicationsdirector for the YMCA, said many people think of the YMCA as only a gym. These summer programs align with the organization's mission.
“The YMCA has three main focus areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The summer food program helps to fill a need in our community and fits well with our mission, not only for social responsibility but for youth development,” Downs said.
Lunch for South Hills participants arrives in heated cases and coolers.
Cypher said, “We try to do as many hot meals as we can since we know a lot of kids don't get that.”She said the most important program goal is to feed children who are missing their school meal but it's not only about feeding youngsters. It's also about mentoring and helping them.Emily Huber and Nick Yannotty, both YMCA staff members, are at the playground every day.They organize the fun and come prepared with balls for kickball, basketball and other games; water balloon supplies for “water Wednesday;” board games; and equipment for a variety of other activities.Each day's play is adapted to how many attend and the ages of the participants.“The staff is really looked up to. They are able to interact with the kids about things that are happening in their lives and get them physically active,” Cypher said.“I think being outside gives us more opportunities to have people come and be excited about being here. We just do more stuff,” Yannotty said.Austin Keller, who will be in 11th grade this year, walks or rides his skateboard to the playground.“The atmosphere is nice up here,” Keller said. “No one fights up here.”Huber said participants and staff have a chance to know each other on a more personal level.“We provide the structure,” Yannotty said.The new rope spider for climbing, park benches, a basketball court, swings, picnic tables and shelter make the playground a bright spot in the community.“The neighbors keep an eye on it,” Yannotty said. “There's more pride.”
