The Honey Brook Community Partnership held its 10th Annual Social Gathering and 1st Community Grants Program on April 26 at the Long Way Home Grill and Pub. The Partnership’s 2018 Community Grants were presented to various non-profit organizations serving the Honey Brook Community, which includes the Borough, Township and surrounding area.
“All of these grant winners are very deserving and have served our community well,” said Donna Horvath, president of the Partnership’s Steering Committee.
Boy Scout Troop 9 received a grant to place a roof on its campsite located behind its charter organization, the Honey Brook Lions Club. Steve Ferstler, Scoutmaster, accepted the grant on behalf of Troop 9 and explained that the troop was revitalized in May 2012, after a seven-year hiatus.
Merv Petersheim, director of the Honey Brook Youth Center, accepted a grant for its programs for children to young adults. The programs include weekend activities, summer camps and canoe trips. The Youth Center is located on Horseshoe Pike in Honey Brook Borough and is supported by Steeple to People Ministries.
Hearts in Hands, a community-based charitable organization, received a grant that will be used to support a summer camp for children living in modular home communities in the Honey Brook, Downingtown and Coatesville triangle. The organization also provides support to families who wish to learn container gardening.
Jennifer Spade, director of the Honey Brook Community Library, accepted a grant for the library. In her comments, she noted that about 2,500 people visit the Library every month. In addition, the Library holds many children’s and adult programs throughout the year.
Becky Zeeger, volunteer coordinator, represented the Honey Brook Food Pantry in receiving its award. The Food Pantry began serving local residents in 2014 and now offers fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other food staples, to more than 700 people a month. The Food Pantry also provides free health screenings, lessons on healthy eating, and easy-to-prepare recipes.
Mim Wilson, president of the Honey Brook Women’s Club, accepted a grant for her organization. The Women’s Club was founded more than 41 years ago by long-time Honey Brook resident, Thelma Umble. The Club holds regular get-togethers and raises funds for a number of organizations and activities in the Honey Brook community. They are responsible for providing the seasonal banners that appear on light poles in the town center.
Peggy Stapleford and Lynn Klump accepted a grant on behalf of the Shepherd’s Kitchen, which provides meals and companionship to local residents. The Shepherd’s Kitchen was organized six years ago by a group of women attending the Honey Brook Presbyterian Church.
Karlie Hoover and Emma Lessick, members of the Cadette Girl Scouts Troop 1441, received a grant to help fund their “Healthy Kids Running Series.” The program was created to provide children from pre-K to 8th grade with a positive, educational and fun experience in the world of running and to combat the increasing rates of child obesity in the United States.
Sonnie Rogers, a member of the Honey Brook Environmental Group, was on hand to accept a grant on behalf of the organization. The Environmental Group was founded in 2016 by Tierra Graham, a graduate of Twin Valley High School and a freshman at Penn State, where she is enrolled in the environmental studies program. The group conducts regular clean-up days throughout the Honey Brook area. Among other environmental activities, group members planted trees in Honey Brook Township’s Umble Memorial Park.
