More Information About New CARE Center


CARE for Children reached another milestone in the construction of the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center Monday, as the organization held the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility.

The Center, which will be close to 10,000 square feet, will meet the existing needs of CARE, but will also allow for continued growth, ensuring the organization will be the premier provider of services for children in McKean County.

After committing a $1 million lead gift, Mr. George Duke, Owner and Chairman of Zippo Manufacturing Company, determined that the project be named for Ashley Booth Griffin, daughter of Zippo President and CEO Greg Booth and his wife, Cherie, who passed away in 2008.

“It was like divine inspiration,” said Mr. Duke of the idea to honor Ashley and her family. “This building will add credibility to the works of CARE, bring focus to the organization, and help it remain self-sustaining over the long-term.”

“We have prayed ever since Ashley’s passing that our daughter’s death would not be in vain,” said Greg and Cherie Booth. “We can truly say that our prayers have been answered. Children of all abilities will be cared for and loved in Ashley’s house for decades to come.

Ashley’s husband Aaron and their daughters Jaden, 9, and Tayga, 4, were on hand to officially put the first shovels into the property.

“What a beautiful memory for Jaden and Tayga to see the wonderful work being done at a Center with their mommy’s name on it,” added Booth.

“This day has been a long time coming,” said Mick Marshall, President of the CARE Board of Directors. “Planning the building began over six years ago, and every step has been well thought out, strategic and with the driving goal of having a facility that would meet the needs of the organization today and for years to come.

“As a board and staff, we have always viewed this project as more than bricks and mortar; as a way to further the culture of accessibility, inclusion, and the recognition that each child that receives services has his or her own unique potential,” added Marshall.

Construction will begin July 1. Bob Cummins Construction Company of Bradford was awarded the general contract based on the company’s low-bid. Local architect R.W. Larson & Associates are the project architects. Construction should take about 30 weeks.

“CARE is fortunate to have a staff and volunteers that have been passionate about this project since its inception; donors that have been amazingly and overwhelming generous; and a community that has become invested in building the future of CARE for Children,” said Marshall.. “From one dollar to one million dollars, we are honored to have such widespread interest from our friends and neighbors in this area and beyond. We have been humbled by the outpouring of support that has been generated and, therefore, this day truly belongs to all of us”
CARE has raised 1.4 million dollars out of the little over 2 million the organization would like to raise to pay for construction and related costs; parking, an adaptive playground and the property purchase.

For more information on the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center, visit the organization’s website at www.careforchildren.info.

Pictured, CARE board of directors president Mick Marshall welcomes people to the groundbreaking ceremony. Also pictures are, standing from left, Greg Booth, CARE Executive Director Tina Martin and her son Max Paterniti, and Kim Murhpey, CARE's community relations coordinator. To the right of Marshall is a portrait of Ashley Booth Griffin

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