June 2011 - Allegheny West Magazine

Visit LIBERTY TREE GROVE - Donaldson Community Park
HONORING OUR LOCAL SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AND VETERANS
FOR THEIR BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS SERVICE
DONORS
West Allegheny Foundation:
Grant of $4,000
Range Resources, LLC: $1,500
Industrial Scientific: $1,000
GROVE SUPPORTERS - $500
Wharton-Herrick Funeral Home
BENCH SUPPORTERS - $250
Home Depot, North Fayette
Pittsburgh Technical Institute
TREE SUPPORTERS - $100
Allegheny West Magazine
Body Systems Fitness
Garden of Eating Pizzeria
Kindred Hospital
West Hills Nissan
LEAF SUPPORTERS -
$10 to $50
Advance Auto Parts
Costco
Elite Management Services
Giant Eagle Market District
Grab ‘n Go
Luther & Noel Dental Associates
Sam’s Club
ACT is Action for Change Today
- a group of local residents serving
the community
www.actionforchangetoday.org
ACT says Thank You to the following
Partners and Donors for their hard work and generous support
Five teenage boys from Crossroads
Church who were part of the church’s
FOCUS community service program
recently mulched the areas around the
trees at Liberty Tree Grove that are a
tribute to each branch of the military. Park
West Supply donated the mulch for the
project.
Said Bob Schiff, who worked with the
teens on the project, “I was blessed to
learn from this group of five very
respectful, polite, and honorable young
Christian men. Thanks to the boys for
allowing me to be part of their day.”
Bob noted that this is a special place
that everyone should visit and learn about.
“One of the trees is an offspring from a
tree which started as seeds that have
been to the moon and back. The trees, and
ABOVE: Jeff Hironomus and Bob Schiff with teens from
Crossroads Church during the FOCUS project at the park.
the tribute rocks that people have placed around the trees in memory of their friends and family
who have honored us with their dedication to all of our Freedom by serving in one of our military
services over the year, are special.”
Bob noted that some of the names have worn away this past winter and could not be read.
Another FOCUS volunteer, Jeff Hironimus, wrote down as many of the names on the rocks as
he could read to see if one of Donaldson Elementary’s teachers can initiate a class project each
year to help keep the honor rocks freshened up. More importantly, Bob said, this would help the
students from Donaldson learn about Liberty Tree Grove, which sits adjacent to their school.
Frank Blaskowitz, one of the people who helped to get the park created in the first place,
worked with the FOCUS group teens all day and offered a lot of information about the park. Said
Bob, “He was an inspiration to each of us all day.”
The park also includes a stone path and benches.
Bob said, “This is an honorable place that so many have helped create and maintain. I was
honored to be able to assist with this Focus Project. Isn’t this what community is all about?”
PROJECT LEADERS
Eagle Scout Rob Deklewa, Boy Scout Troop #248 – Design and creation of
the walking path
Eagle Scout Daniel Henry, Boy Scout Troop # 355 - Build and installation of
commemorative benches
Eagle Candidate Dominic Merlino, Troop #355 - Layout plan, prep and
installation of all informational signage
PARTNERS
Township of North Fayette – Land donation; Accounting & Administration
Resources
Bartlett Tree Experts – Consulting expertise; Tree planting; Labor & Materials
Landscape Workshop – Consulting expertise; Labor & Materials; Coordination
for landscaping & walking path
Accessibility Matters, LLC – Consulting on ADA recommendations &
compliance
Tim Stewart – Stewart’s Repair Service – Labor & Equipment for excavation &
installation
Park West Supply – Individual military tribute rocks to honor local service
members; Mulch for trees and plant beds
North Fayette Home Depot – Donation of plants and shrubs for landscaping
Crossroads Church Focus Group – Labor for edging and mulching of trees &
plant beds
PHOTO SUBMITTED
44 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011