WHAT’ S NEWS IN PETERS TOWNSHIP
CITY MISSION VETERANS FACILITY FINALLY BECOMES A REALITY
Over 600 community members gathered at City Mission on Tuesday, July 3, to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Crabtree-Kovacicek Patriot House, a newly constructed, 22-bed residential facility serving veterans.
“ This is a dream-come-true day for City Mission,” says President / CEO, Dean Gartland. The Patriot House became a dream nine years ago when City Mission began tracking the number of veterans coming to the Mission for help. As the numbers increased, the City Mission Board of Directors decided to put a plan into action.“ Two words that should never be in the same sentence,” Gartland explains,“ are‘ homeless’ and‘ veteran.’”
The opening event kicked off with the roar of motorcycles. The Patriot Guard Riders along with others, led by Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi, rode from American Legion Post # 175 to the City Mission campus and brought the American flag that was to be raised during the event. The flag had recently flown over the United States Capitol in honor of the Patriot House.
Gartland welcomed the standingroom-only audience, which included major donors, politicians, veterans organizations, Gold-Star moms and the local community. The Washington Festival Chorale provided patriotic music, and retired Brigadier General David Papak of the United States Marine Corps delivered a heartfelt speech of gratitude to the City Mission for its dedication to helping veterans.
Maggi, himself a veteran, presented the flag to the color guard from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 764, which raised the flag for the first time over the Patriot House.
The event culminated with the ribboncutting ceremony, which featured Dr. Michael Crabtree, a member of the City Mission Board of Directors and local professor and psychologist for whom the building is named. His generous donation made the construction of the Patriot House possible.
The Crabtree-Kovacicek Patriot House is dedicated to both Dr. Crabtree and Lance Corporal Ryan Kovacicek. Kovacicek, a United States Marine and native of Washington, was killed in combat in Hit, Iraq, on July 10, 2005, at the age of 22.
The dream of the Patriot House is now a reality, and the facility will begin serving veterans in need. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that there are 40,000 homeless veterans on any given night in the United States and that veterans are 50 % more likely than the general population to become homeless. City Mission is showing its dedication to serving these at-risk veterans in our region and beyond by creating a recovery program where they can heal together with the support of local veterans and veterans groups.
Seven veterans have already moved into the facility. Kevin Lubitz, a veteran of the United States Navy and current resident of the Patriot House, will serve as a Resident Assistant to lead and mentor incoming veterans.“ Patriot House is a place that’ s run by veterans and for veterans,” he says.“ It’ s helpful in your recovery to relate to someone with similar experiences who has gone through similar trials and struggles. Everybody deserves a second chance.”
PETERS TOWNSHIP FARMERS MARKET
The fifth annual Peters Township Farmers Market will be open through the month of September. Patrons can gather in the parking lot of St. David’ s Episcopal
Church on East McMurray every Wednesday to shop from an exceptional selection of local farmers and artisans, while enjoying live entertainment and dining options.
Products offered include fresh produce from a variety of local farmers( including Simmons Farm, Freedom Farm and Kerns Farm), eggs, milk, bread, gluten-free options, beef / chicken / pork / duck, pasta, condiments, wine, jams / dips, olive oil / vinegars, honey, hummus, organic freshpressed juice, fresh-cut flowers, hanging plants, body care products, artisan goods, prepared foods and sweet treats such as kettle corn, shaved ice, ice cream, candy, pies, cookies and more.
Each week will feature live entertainment from local performers, and demonstrations from local community groups. If you’ re interested in performing, please send a message via the Facebook page or email stdavidspeterstwp @ gmail. com.
A large variety of prepared foods are available, so patrons can sit and eat dinner while they shop and enjoy the live entertainment.
The purpose of the market is to provide an opportunity for farmers and artisans in the region to sell what they produce directly to South Hills and Peters residents. The Board of Directors is made up of nine local volunteer moms and Rev. Kris Opat of St. David’ s Episcopal Church. They share a passion for sustainable farming and buying local, fresh products for their families. They hope to encourage relationships between producer and consumer and limit the distance food and goods travel from farm to table.
The Peters Township Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday from 3 to 7 p. m. at St. David’ s Episcopal Church at 905 E. McMurray Rd., Venetia, 15367. It continues through Sept. 26. For more information, to sign up for weekly newsletters, and for a full list of participating vendors, please visit the website peterstownshipfarmersmarket. org, or“ Like” it on Facebook— facebook. com / peterstownshipfarmersmarket.
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