Local Rotary Groups Celebrate Rochester Park Revitalization Effort Benefiting Rochester Club Members
[Rochester, WA] – Olympia,Gateway, and Lacey Rotary Club members, community supporters, along with enthusiastic youth gathered Monday,October 22, 2018 for the ribbon-cutting and rededication of Independence Park in Rochester, WA, at 10140 Hwy 12.
The Olympia, Gateway, and Lacey Rotary Clubs pooled their respective resources to revitalize Independence Park in Rochester. The generous match of $11,000 by Rotary District 5020 as well as the $11,000 contributed by the three Clubs made the upgrade possible. Rotary members also volunteered over the course of several August weekends to install equipment and repair and paint swing sets, benches, and picnic tables. Port Blakely generously built and donated a log climbing structure for the playground.
Independence Park, located in the heart of the Rochester community, is used by nearly 100 Rochester Boys & Girls Club members daily as well as community members and families accessing the nearby Food Bank and the after school tutoring program offered by the Rochester Organization for Families (ROOF).
“The kids are having a blast with their revitalized playground and we’re seeing more of them choose to be outside to use it,” said Shellica Trevino, Director of Operations for Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County. “We are thankful to the Rotary Clubs and Port Blakey for giving us a park the entire community can enjoy.”
The Rochester Boys & Girls Club serves more than 300 youth annually and sees an average daily attendance of 105 members. The Rochester Club is one of five clubs comprising the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County. Since 2001, Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County have been at the forefront of youth development in our community, working with children and teens to ensure access to quality programs aimed at enhancing the lives of youth and shaping their futures. Our Clubs provide a positive place for youth to go after school when they have free time and are more vulnerable to activities that may deter them from their goals. This effort ensures over 3,000 Club members in Thurston County have the tools, strategies, and support to achieve academic success, learn, and grow through creative and fun programs and a safe after-school environment.