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Editor's Note: Much of the content for this article comes from a post on the Boyertown Rotary Club's and the New Ridge's Response Creew's websites and Facebook pages.
by Jane Stahl
Boyertown's Spaatz Memorial Plaza along South Reading Avenue was in need of much help. Unsightly weeds had invaded the garden. Grass insisted itself tenaciously between the dedicated bricks making it difficult to read the names of the veterans being honored.
And while members of the Boyertown Rotary Club have been caring for the Plaza for many years and raising funds to plant new greenery and the annual Christmas trees, lately the tasks have become too difficult for the aging members.
Rotarian Stephanie Landis was the first to notice a critical remark on a social media page that spurred her to show up early one morning to begin the tedious weeding process.
Apparently she wasn't the only one that had read the criticism because, soon after she arrived, the New Ridge Fellowship Response Crew showed up to help.
Six hours later, weeds were pulled, bushes trimmed, sidewalks cleaned, and mulch spread.
When Phil Haddad stopped by, he was delighted at the clean up, noting that now he could read the names on the bricks of his family members who'd served.
A few days later, the person who made the initial negative observation bought flowers; she and Rotarian Joyce Farmer planted them together, and plans are in place to re-create the plaza, adding a special sand that will keep the grass from growing between the bricks.
The New Ridge Fellowship Response Crew
For the past six years, the New Ridge Fellowship Response Crew has provided service to over 250 families in seven states, responded to dozens of natural disasters, and delivered over 4500 volunteer hours.
The Response Crew started with two objectives: help people with downed trees, debris and outdoor cleanup after natural disasters and assist persons with outdoor work that they can’t do for themselves or afford to pay for. The crew relies on donations from the congregation and generosity from supporters. Volunteers are welcome; their website claims that all that’s needed is a caring heart and a strong back!
We celebrate a happy ending and a wonderful example of the community coming together--in service--for a common good!
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