CALLING ALL SKATE BOARDERS, BLADERS & BIKERS!
Dormont is a small town in the Southwestern Pennsylvania right out side of Pittsburgh. In Dormont, the one thing we take pride in is community. Everyone has a story on how they have impacted our community, and the next story the community wants to tell together. We need everyone to help this town come together and build a memorial skate park for two young men that are no longer with us.
On July 15, 2008, Vince (21 years old) and Stephen Pitcher (19 years old) drowned while on a camping trip with their Father, Uncle, and friends. These brothers were found seven hours later, still holding onto each other. Vince would not let go of his brother, Stephen. They were two great young men who had many friends through out our community and they touched many people in their short life.
They, like most young adults in our area, were avid skateboarders and bmx bikers but had no where to practice their skateboarding, rollerblading and biking and had to do it on the streets or public parks. The street and sidewalks are not safe for obvious reasons, and in the public parks small children play, so that is not conducive. We here in Dormont would love to give the Boarders, Bladers, and Bikers, a place to call their own, and dedicate it to the two young men that passed away.
We understand that a skate park is an expensive venture and know that we, as a community, have a high fundraising goal and would appreciate financial sponsorship. We will be raising money through out the community, but we need help to achieve our goal. Contributions of either money, materials, or help with construction, will go a long way, in a community that is willing to work hard, yet fun loving, and puts a strong main focous on family and children. We need to keep our children and youth busy physically, off the streets and give them a safe place for skating, biking, and boarding. They need a place to call home and your contribution could help us to provide that.
We here in Dormont, Castle Shanon and Greentree will be fundraising to any and all associated with skating and skate boarding, biking and rollerblading for donations. We will also be holding many unique and interesting fundraisers in our comminity. Anything you may be able to do for us such as donate money, time, ideas, or contacts of other possible contributors that may be able to help our cause, would be greatly appreciated by all. In return for your generosity, the Memorial Skate Park Committee will be printing the names of each business and each individual involved with the donations on a beautiful plaque outside of the skate park, which will stand for at least the next 50 years.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and about our little community with a big heart and a big dream. We hope you consider making a donation. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel to use the CONTACT PAGE above and leave your phone number or call 412-853-0515.
For more information about the two young men please read the article here: http://www. post-gazette. com/pg/08198/897223-52. stm
Just as these loving Brothers held on...... the communities of Dormont, Castle Shannon and Greentree are holding onto this dream and will be working hard together....
&nb sp; ....to make this skate park a reality in their honor!
Please note:
On October 27, 2008, I, Mary Pitcher "pitched the Park" at the Dormont Council Session. It feels as though it should have been done a long time ago, but actually, it has been less than a month and a half since the idea really was set into motion. Since September we have raised almost $10,000.00 and although that is just the start...it was an important start for further grant applications. Public support from businesses, skaters, youth, adults and parents are a big part of proving that you deserve grants. Also, this initial fundraising was to be used to develop a protype design to present to the Boro Council, however we are very fortunate to not have to use a "California" designer.
Although like most of you..... I would like to have the park built yesterday, in taking our time and through research being done (and we still have plenty of work to do on that!) , we have found
a possible, qualified designer right here in Pittsburgh, Pashek Designers, on the North Side that may assist us along with PTI where Vince graduated from the CAD Department! (My goal is to try and keep the involvement close to home!) This desinger has built 3 County skateparks and designs were submitted to the Tony Hawk Foundation and they will consider him as qualified now that they have built three thriving parks! Fortunately for us, in visiting these parks doing research we have some new friends from the surrounding areas as well, who are skaters who will tell us what they like and dislike or want made differently in our park.....to make it unique....to make ours better!
I must admit, I was nervous at first presenting this to the Council, but I realise that with the support I've received from everyone who has touched this project and our family throughout the years, I should just tell them how I feel, tell them what I found out and let them decide if they feel this park would enhance our community. The feeling I got from talking to all the park Managers was that it certainly drew attention to their parks, enhanced businesses in the areas and drew people from litterally the tri state community. I also pointed out that there are only 53 parks like this in Pennsylvania! A design such as this is really unique and the community, the park, the businesses and the people could all benefit greatly!
All I can tell you is I did my humble best on behalf of my sons, my family and our communtiy. I presented a lengthy packet with information about skateboarding, the local parks and their designs and the "Wally Holliday" designers information.
It seems that it was received well. The Dormont Borough Council is setting us up with a meeting with the recreation board.....that is the next step. If it isn't possible there, then we will have alternative places to build. Although I know that asking for 18,000 square feet in a community that only measures approximately 1 square mile is a lot to ask, my heart tells me that Dormont is where this park should be!
I would like to thank Mayor Lloyd, John Maggio, Warren Cecconi,
Clair Brockmeyer, Drew Lehman, Tom Ayoob, Eugene Barilla,Kim Lusardi, Lauri Malka, and Timothy McCoy for giving me the opportuinity to speak at the council meeting, for reading the literature offered, and for offering their sincere condolences to our family.
THANK YOU ALL!
REPORTS ON FUNDRAISING EVENTS
We had a WONDERFUL turn out and a WONDERFUL time at the Cut-a-thon on September 14 at Hair Geometrics on Potomac!
WE CERTAINLY BEAUTIFIED DORMONT with well over a 120 hair cuts & styles :D EVERYONE SEEMED VERY HAPPY WITH THEIR CUT!
(Shhh...not too sure about the Mohawk Rumpler got! ...lol lol)
This was not a snip snip you're done event ....oh no! They gave some new and fresh styles...that were awesome!
The beauticians WERE AMAZING! I was tired just watching them, but boy
they were totally professional even under heavy customer traffic! No one felt rushed and they certainly got their moneys worth!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO JEN SANTORELLA, WHO OWNS HAIR GEOMETRICS FOR COMING UP WITH THE IDEA AND SUPPLYING THE USE OF HER SHOP FOR THE EVENT! (She didn't even know the boys...but felt compelled to help! (make sure you stop in and thank her if you are in the area!)
Without Lauren Karabasz (who I"ve decided is related to the Energizer Bunny :) , her Mom, and Allie....this event would not have been as sucessful!!! They gave 100 percent on this event...trust me!!!!!!
And how about that Pizza Company pizza? Mmmm..,,, tasty!!! :D
They donated all of it. Thank you for you support!
but the real treat which was chocolate chip COOKIES came from Elyse's Mom!
THEY ARE GREAT!
and because of that......
WE MADE $3,260.43 WAY OVER OUR EXPECTED GOAL!
I HAVE A FEW "HERO CONTRIBUTORS" TO MENTION AS WELL!
Mrs. Bobak (Mike's Mom) ALL I CAN SAY IS..GOD BLESS YOU!)
Mike Bobak
Donna Mersing (A woman I just met that day! Special lady she is!:)
Lauren Degnan
Morris Feldman
Morgan Kelly
Deborah Mancuso
and MANY other people who just dropped off money and didn't even get their hair cut!
THESE PEOPLE WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY...WITH GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS...AND I DO MEAN GENEROUS!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of my sons, Vincent and Stephen, our family, and the future generaion of children in our area who will be enjoying a beautiful skate park! I CANT WAIT!
Love to you all!
Mary P
PS...Mrs. Bobak won the 50/50 which was $44.00! Way to go!
