One Community’s Tribute: Everson Borough’s veterans parklet dedicated
On May 17, 2008, a performance by the Southmoreland High School Band roused the veterans, dignitaries, and townspeople proudly congregated to dedicate a freshly completed memorial in honor of the 24 servicemen from Everson, PA who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and for their hometown.
Timothy Shoemaker, Mayor of Everson and Community Connections project manager said, “This project took on more successes than any of us had anticipated. We had business owners donating time and money to help us finish this project. We have had residents thanking us for accomplishing this task, and telling us that their families and friends are asking about it. They are proud to once again be a resident of Everson.”
Pennsylvania State Representative Deberah Kula, referring to her experience as a Community Connections decisionmaker, and the process by which Everson received $5,000 of support for the project, told the large crowd gathered before her that “one of the most important criteria we used to evaluate the applications was community involvement. And I knew, from campaigning here in Everson and talking with the people of this community, that you would take great pride in this effort.”
Shoemaker added, “without [this] grant we would still be fundraising and would be nowhere near completion of this project. Thanks to [Community Connections] we have a Parklet to be proud of that will stand against the best of them.”
Everson Civics Organization’s Everson Borough Veterans Parklet is a Fayette County Grassroots Project supported by a $4,375 grant from Pittsburgh 250 Community Connections and The Sprout Fund.
