There are good people in Connellsville and the surrounding area.
We can't say that enough.
All too often we concentrate on the negativity in the community and we forget about the good that people do.
Just this week, various organizations announced plans to enhance the opportunities available locally.
Members of the Connellsville Falcon Foundation are continuing to raise money for our schools; volunteers and teachers from Junior High West are planning a fundraiser to benefit Austin Field; and local businesswoman Nancy Koller has offered her services to keep the city's winter swim program afloat.
The Connellsville Falcon Foundation, which helps to raise money for the needs of the Connellsville schools that the district can't fund, is planning its first major fundraiser -- a dinner and play. The foundation is playing on the success of the high school musical and hoping that prior to the March 2 performance, residents will attend a special dinner at the cafeteria. Money raised will go back to the community in the form of helping our children.
On Jan. 31, Junior High West teacher Jamie McPoyle will enlist some fellow teachers to flip burgers at a local restaurant to help raise money for improvements to Austin Field. McPoyle is being joined in the endeavor by local student Tyler Doppelheur and a group of teen volunteers he has organized. McPoyle started his campaign to see improvements at the South Side park several months ago. To date, the community has helped to garner about $5,000 for the project. But it will take a lot more to see the renovations through.
McPoyle took on the project after he learned from city council there is no money in its coffers to support the project. However, the city is supporting his efforts.
Then there is businesswoman Nancy Koller, who operates the pool at the Connellsville Community Center. Once Koller learned the city was dropping its popular winter swim program because of financial constraints, she stepped forward. She volunteered to operate the program. Koller told the city she would waive the costs for lifeguards, security and pool rental fees -- which the city paid when the program was at the high school. She didn't want to see the valuable program come to an end.
We commend all these individuals. And we encourage the community to support their endeavors.
These projects will take the volunteers many hours to plan. But the community will reap the benefits.
And, to you, the volunteers of our community, we say thank you. It's something you probably don't hear enough.
