KARE for Kane Scheduled for May

By SANDRA RHODES

Organizers for KARE for Kane are asking for all hands on deck in its inaugural event.

KARE for Kane is a day set aside to bring individuals and groups in the Kane area to work together to spruce up the community. The work day is set for Friday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. throughout the borough.

Kathleen Prosperi, project organizer, explained that they will continue to recruit volunteers until Friday, April 15. The projects have already been determined and now they want to match up the volunteers’ strengths and interests with the projects identified. KARE for Kane was developed by the Kane Area Development Center and the Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise. Both Prosperi and Melanie Clabaugh, executive director of the Kane Area Development Center, were involved in similar activities while in college – Prosperi at Allegheny College in Meadville and Clabaugh at the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland - and they wanted to bring that same idea to Kane. The day is dedicated to bringing individuals and groups in the Kane area together to work on beautification, restoration and other projects as needed by area non-profit organizations, school district and churches. There is a wide range of projects scheduled, including landscaping, washing windows and painting.

“Some (projects) need a lot of hands,” Clabaugh said, including the removal of trees in Evergreen Park. “We need to clean up after our harsh winter. Prosperi added that this will give some attention to some churches that may not have the manpower to do some of the projects. To date, about 90 people have volunteered. Duties range from manning registration tables to photographing the day’s events to uprooting trees.

There’s something for everyone, they said, adding about 20 projects will be handled that day. This includes cleaning up the Chestnut Street school to putting up entrance signs in the community. Individuals or groups are welcome to sign up.

Prosperi said that many student groups have expressed interest in helping throughout the day. Many businesses are also involved. “A couple of businesses are letting their employees out to help,” Clabaugh said. “It’s a good team-building exercise.” For example, Zook Motors is allowing its entire service department participate in the afternoon. The Kane fire department will be hosing down tennis courts to get the debris off. The gazebo in Evergreen Park will be painted along with sign poles.

“It’s one day. We’ll see what can be accomplished,” Clabaugh said. “The public as a whole will benefit from this.” The event, which includes projects both inside as well as outside, will be held rain or shine. “You can volunteer as much or as little” Prosperi said. Prosperi is a senior communication arts major at Allegheny College. “A couple of hours to the entire day,” Clabaugh added. “It’s good for building community spirit.”

A light breakfast will be provided. The Kane Rotary Club will serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Kane Area Community Center will serve as headquarters. Both Prosperi and Clabaugh are hoping this first event is not the last. “We’d love for this to become an annual event,” Prosperi said. “We hope the community gets excited about it. “After growing up in Kane, I know that people really care about it. People are willing to help and people will do anything they are asked,”

Prosperi said. The group has been getting donations from a variety of sources, which will help defray the cost of T-shirts and supplies. Jerry Clark of Westline designed the logo. They are encouraging people to pre-register for volunteering so they know just how many hands will be on deck. Anyone interested in volunteering whether or not they live in Kane are welcome to participate. People can volunteer by contacting Prosperi at prospek@allegheny.edu, by calling the Kane Area Development Center at 814-837-6565 or by downloading a registration form from www.kanepa.com/KARE.aspx. The group is also on Facebook.

The Kane Area Development Center is comprised of the Kane Chamber of Commerce, Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise and the Kane Area Industrial Development Corp. These organizations work together to celebrate the uniqueness of Kane and to promote business and industry in Kane.

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