Michelle Brennan, Annette Murphy, Rachel Webster, Vince Janoski, Rachel Riedl, Kate Elliott, Stephanie Patterson, Jennifer Ruehle, Christy Stier, Bob Lewis, Steve Mortorana
Hopewell Borough Playground Project Committee coordinators
What an incredible thing to be a part of.
It was a big project that just kept getting bigger and bigger with each passing day, week, month, for a little more than a year.
And when we got to Build Week, it was enormous. There aren’t enough words or enough space to describe what transpired.
It was and still is the passion and commitment of the many people of the Hopewell Borough Playground Project. That means everyone.
People gave in so many ways. They worked in the rain and in the mud, doing whatever it took to get the job done. They came from all parts of our state and beyond, some with a connection to people in Hopewell and some just because.
There was the guy who showed up Tuesday and signed on to work from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. for five days straight and is still there this morning on the sixth day.
Restaurants and retailers gave food, money and product. The Department of Public Works employees stayed late into the night. Contractors and builders continue to show up and say, “What else do you need? What can I provide.”
Fathers gave up being with their families or brought their families along and worked at the site on Father’s Day. Committee members worked every day and every week for a year organizing for this huge week. People lent their tools and equipment. Those who couldn’t work dropped off ponchos and banana bread.
There were so many generous donations, of all sizes and shapes. There are people who have continued to work on this project and will for a few more weeks.
Then, finally, the children, all of our children, who gave up their parents’ attentions for this time that it took to build our new magical one-of-a-kind playgrounds.
Thank you. You’ve all made a difference. This project was truly inspired by children and built by community.
