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Kutztown Community Partnership presents Volunteer, Organization of the Year awards

Kutztown Community Partnership presented its 2022 Volunteer of the Year and Organization of the Year awards to Jerry Schearer and the Kutztown Rotary Club, respectively, during its annual meeting on Feb. 2.

“It was unexpected and humbling,” said Schearer about receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award.

“I created this award through the Organization Committee seven years ago because I knew how important and special our volunteers are, but never expected to get the award myself.”

Schearer served nine years on the KCP Board, including one as vice-president and four as president.  He is also starting his 10th year as Chair of the Organization Committee.

“We have a very special town.  There is more here than meets the eye and I love that KCP can have a part in making the town even more special, both with public events but also a lot of behind the scenes advocacy, promotion, grants, etc.,” he said.

Schearer is Senior Associate Dean and Chief Diversity Officer at Kutztown University and a volunteer with Friend, Inc.

“I’ve always felt you should give back to the community in which you live and KCP as well as Friend Inc. has been a great way for me to do that locally.  I hope I can help continue to bridge gaps between the University and Borough, between students and residents, and mostly just make Kutztown a great place to live and work,” he said.

Even after no longer being part of the board this past year, Schearer continues to volunteer in many ways including at the KCP Concession Stand at the Kutztown Borough Pool, which KPC runs as a community service and a fundraiser.  He volunteered to help start up and close the concession stand at the start and end of the season, did many runs to get supplies and keep the food stocked, made bank deposits when the manager was away, and even filled in for shifts cooking or running the register when they were short staffed.

“It was a pleasure to serve on the Board of Directors with so many great people — all very dedicated and hardworking,” he said. “My years as president were rewarding and I was able to meet even more great people in the community representing KCP.  I’m glad I’ve been able to continue volunteering in small ways helping out with projects, fundraising, and helping with some administration things as needed.”

Also during the meeting, Schearer presented the Kutztown Community Organization of the Year to the Kutztown Rotary Club.

“Rotary Club of Kutztown is such a great organization,” said Schearer. “The amount of fundraising they do for local projects and the volunteers they provide for KCP events is really impressive.  I’ve been glad to give back to them a little each year by volunteering at the Taste of Kutztown event Rotary holds.”

This past year the Rotary Club supported more than a dozen community projects and donated thousands of dollars to various community organizations.  The Club held their 1st Annual Ghost Tour of Kutztown raising more than $3,000 for the Kutztown Area Historical Society to help with renovations.

“Kutztown Rotary Club is honored to be recognized as the Organization of the Year by Kutztown Community Partnership,”  said Kutztown Rotary Club President Tom Kulp. “The Kutztown  Rotary Club focuses on local needs in Kutztown, Topton, and surrounding communities. We have partnered with KCP on many initiatives and look forward to continuing to support KCP and the community. We plan to continue our mission of supporting community efforts through our major fundraisers, the Taste Of Kutztown in June, and Kutztown Ghost Tour in October.”

Annual Meeting

The annual KCP meeting, led by new incoming KCP President Allison Fuller, was attended by current board of directors, Community Liaison Sandy Green, KCP volunteers, community members, Kutztown Borough Council and Kutztown Borough Planning Commission.

Two new Board members began their terms this year — Jonathan Quier, co-owner of Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc. in Kutztown, and George Kusterer, Kutztown Borough Council member.

Each KCP board member serves a renewable two-year term. With the addition of the new members, the 2022 KCP board will be Fuller, president; Pete Smith, vice president; Amanda Garcia, treasurer; Jeromy Curry, secretary; Alexander Elliker; Christian Temchatin, and Christina Galdi.

“Kutztown Community Partnership is comprised of volunteers who share the same passion to make our town a better place,” said Fuller. “After two years of having to postpone events and plans due to the pandemic we are eager to move forward in 2022.”

The KCP officers and committee presented reports on the past year’s challenges with COVID-19, successes and events, as well as a positive outlook for the year ahead.

“After listening to tonight’s discussions, it is obvious our board members and volunteers are ready to put plans into place and continue our mission to build community, positive relationships, and economic collaboration,” said Fuller.

The economic development committee focused on the rental/downtown housing strategic plan done in 2020 and the awarding of the Multimodal Grant.

Kutztown Thriving reported that they continued to maintain three pollinator gardens in the borough and assist with feral cat trap and release. Plans for 2022 include the installation of a split-rail fence around the entry garden on Constitution and more murals.

The Peace.Love.Kutztown committee continues to raise awareness of social justice issues and bring unity in the community.

The events committee was happy to host at least one large scale event in 2021, Christmas in Kutztown.  Moved from Main Street to the Train Station, the successful event featured 49 vendors and fun for the community.  Plans for 2022, pending final details and borough approval, include KU Senior Send Off May 7 (rain date May 8), Dinner on Main Aug. 5 (rain date Aug. 6) and the Block Party Oct. 1.

KCP Community Liaison Sandy Green reported that the Kutztown Area Hero Banner Program currently has 265 banners sold.  Stories from veterans will be shared in The Kutztown Area Veterans Heritage Book Project. The Kutztown Vietnam Veterans Breakfast Club is soliciting funds for the “Welcome to Veterans Way” sign at Kutztown Park.  For more information, contact KCP at sandygreenkcp@hometownu.com.

Green also spoke about the two additional murals painted in 2021 with two more hopeful in 2022.  KCP and Green will continue to focus on economic development, marketing and re-branding and promoting Kutztown as a safe and walkable community.

“Kutztown and KCP’s future is bright, but that depends on volunteers and donations. There are lots of ways to volunteer with events, committees, and other projects, so please stop by the KCP office and find how you can get involved or maybe sponsor an event,” said Schearer.

The Kutztown Community Partnership office is located at 306 W. Main St., Kutztown. For more information about events, volunteer opportunities and more, visit http://kutztownpartnership.org/. Call 484-646-9069.


Source: Berkshire mont

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