This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Rotary Club of Oconee County Celebrates Thirty Years With Community Service Project

New picnic pavillions at Oconee Veterans' Park funded and built through the volunteer efforts of Rotarians.

In April 2010, the Rotary Club of Oconee County turned thirty years old, and its members began thinking of ways to commemorate the occasion. With a proud tradition of community service in its history, the Club decided that a big, generous gesture of its love for the community was in order - a grand demonstration of the Club's committment to its mantra, "Service above Self".

Led by Todd Whitaker, a service project committee began soliciting proposals for its anniversary project from throughout the community. Having received and reviewed nine such proposals, the committee asked the Club to approve a project which was especially deserving - the construction of six picnic pavillions at the new Oconee Veterans Park on Highway 53. Less than a year old, the park represents a huge investment of county resources in quality of life for its citizens, providing sports fields, a senior center and a playground - but no current funds were available for the construction of a picnic area. John Gentry, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the county, was instrumental in encouraging the project and in working with Todd and his committee to obtain the necessary construction permits. The Club approved the project, committing to fund the construction of six picnic pavillions in the park and to man the construction entirely through the volunteer efforts of its members. 

Oconee's Rotarians provided generous amounts of time and expertise to the project in its planning stages. Doug Weirauch of D&D Construction provided countless hours of construction planning. Abe Abouhamdan of Abe Consulting furnished engineer's drawings of the project.  Others who gave freely of their skills and time in helping the project to take flight were Eddie Ogletree, Bill Ross and Joe Chaffin.

In February 2011, Rotary had its first "work day" on site at Oconee Veterans Park, with over thirty members and their families appearing to clear the site and dig foundations for the six pavillions, and Tammy Gilland's refreshment committee providing sustenance for the crew. In April, the first pavillion was completed, and the project will continue through 2011 with overall completion projected for summer 2012. In the interim, Todd, Doug, Eddie, Bill and Joe will spend untold hours on site, cutting wood in preparation for the Club's planned work days. Club members will show up on various Saturday mornings and Thursday afternoons to hammer it all together. Erik Steelman, an Oconee Boy Scout, will construct the trail connecting the six pavillions in a quest to earn his Eagle Scout badge, under the leadership of John Gentry. And in the summer of 2012, the final picnic pavillion will be completed amid the leafy hardwoods at the back of the park. A monument to the members of the Rotary Club of Oconee County will adorn the site, commemorating the spirit of community service which took root at the Club's foundation and flourishes thirty year on. 

 

Find out what's happening in Oconeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Oconee