Bentley's Place
Mourners and supporters of the late Bentley Miller let lights shine in his memory Tuesday.
Around 60 people attended Bentley's Birthday Paper Lantern Release at Butler Memorial Park, and lit paper lanterns before releasing them to float away.
Balloons were also released in honor of Bentley, of Butler who died in March and would have been 5 years old Tuesday.
Renee Manny, founder of Bentley's Army and the organizer of the event, said Bentley spent every birthday at Butler Memorial Park.
“I want everybody to be able to think of Bentley in a happy way,” Manny said. “When his name is brought up there's either anger or tears. I want it to be happiness, and that's what I hope to accomplish from the park.”
The lanterns cost $2 for attendees, and the money will go toward revitalizing the park. Butler AM Rotary presented Bentley's Army with a $5,000 check for the project.
“Part of our mission for Rotary is to support children,” said Kenny Bonus, a rotary board member. “We saw it as a good opportunity to contribute to the community for a good cause.”
The $5,0000 brings the total money raised for the project to around $18,000.
AK Cares, a program of AK Steel that supports nonprofit organizations, as well as the city, the county and the Rotary, have been working with Bentley's Army on the project.
Councilman Michael Walter said Butler Memorial Park is a good location to revitalize because it is used often by the community.
A section of the park will be renamed “Bentley's Place.” That section will feature some new playground equipment and new wood chips. The replaced equipment will be used at Father Marinaro Park.
The area of the playground also will be made ADA accessible.
“We want every child to come here and play regardless of what handicap they might have,” Manny said.
Sherri McKibbin, vice president of Bentley's Army, said the organization is aiming to bring “Dominick's Law,” child abuse legislation that was passed in Michigan, to Pennsylvania. This law includes increasing penalties for first- and second-degree child abuse.
“We can't protect children without these laws being in place,” McKibbin said.
Many attendees were people who didn't know Bentley but were affected by his story. Among them were Ryan and Jen Barto, siblings of Melissa Barto, a Butler woman who was killed in June.“We're getting a lot of support for (Melissa), so we kind of wanted to give back,” Jen Barto said.Jayme Russo, another attendee, said he is friends with a relative of Bentley's.“I wanted to pay my respect for what they were doing for poor little Bentley here,” he said.Linda Swain also came as a show of support.“I just wanted to be here for Bentley today so we never, ever forget.”Michelle Digiacomo, who was a bystander when first responders arrived on scene to attempt to aid Bentley in March, also was at the event.“I lost my little boy 18 years ago, so I feel for people that lose their child,” she said. “I already have my angel, and now they have theirs.”Keith Jordan Lambing, 20, of Butler is charged with first-degree murder in connection with Bentley's death.
