William Penn Life, 2000 (35. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2000-07-01 / 7. szám
A Premier Event WPA helps makes first-ever Join Hands Day a national success EVEN BEFORE THE EVENT WAS held, organizers of Join Hands Day were proclaiming it a success, both in boosting community involvement and gaining attention for fraternal benefit societies. The Join Hands Day Action Center is still collecting information on projects held throughout the country on June 17, so final figures on the number of individual projects and volunteers participating have not been released. But, several days prior to the inauguration of this new national day of volunteer service, organizers said that nearly 1,000 projects were planned in about 40 states. Among those projects were a couple involving WPA members. Branch 13 Trenton, N.J., teamed up with a local Boy Scout troop to remove a quoit pit from a city owned park and landscape the area. Volunteers removed railroad ties, sand and clay soil from the pit, then covered it with top soil and grass seed. The City of Trenton provided the top soil, seed and equipment to haul away the discarded railroad ties and soil. The volunteers started working at 8:00 a.m. and finished the job by noon. Afterwards, they enjoyed pizza and sodas. Branch members participating in the project included Steven Beke (project chairman), Frank J. Radvany, Joseph Hamari, Marguerite Beke, Elsie H. Radvany and Margaret Hamari. Scouts joining in the project were László Oroszvary, Chris Hall and Endre Oroszvary, all of Troop 230 Yardley, Pa., and Evan Halliday of Pack 29, Den 9, Trenton. Also assisting were Julius and Deneice Oroszvary and James Halliday, parents of the scouts. Branch 34 Pittsburgh combined its Join Hands Day project with its getaway weekend at Penn Scenic View (see Branch News). Able-bodied members assisted other members who Members of Branch 13 Trenton, N.J., partnered with local Boy Scouts to remove a quoit pit from a city park. They celebrated their success with pizza and soda later. needed assistance in getting around, carried luggage, served refreshments and, in general, lent a helping hand where needed. Join Hands Day organizers are quick to point out that, while many projects drew both media and volunteer attention, it's the creation of youth and adult partnerships that was the main focus of the day. "We have an idea that is a good one. People are interested and taking notice," said John Dutton, president of Join Hands Day. "We can be proud that not only are fratemals doing their part in mobilization and support, but 1 w$h 1A& I other groups and individuals who have never heard of the fraternal system are getting involved." Proving there's no rest for the weary, organizers already have begun planning the next Join Hands Day, scheduled for June 16,2001.1 Sponsored by America’s Fraternal Benefit Societies In Partnership with The Points of Light Foundation JUNE 16, 2001 William Pea» Life, July 2000 7
