Today we read of many kinds of behind-the-scenes people quietly aiding the community, like first responders and special volunteers.
There is an organization which has been somewhat hidden, as the community benefits from the long list of projects and activities it has supported. That is the Sweden Community Foundation. Board members can be seen in the adjacent photo.
The Foundation Mission statement focuses on “expanding, promoting, and funding recreational opportunities for the residents of the greater Sweden community. Social recreation is vital to the physical and mental health of all human beings, regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnicity or occupation.” The organization has created a variety of ways to promote social recreation (see side bar).
The latest project of the Foundation is the Splash Pad Playground at Sweden Town Park dedication on Saturday, June 8 with water being turned on just after 2 p.m. as youngsters waited in anticipation (see photo).
As President of the Foundation Board since 2015, Wayne Zyra was named 2018 recipient of the Monika W. Andrews Award for Volunteer Leadership. At the February 4, 2019 Brockport Village Board meeting, the award was presented to Zyra by Linda Ketchum of the Award Selection Committee.
“A grandfather’s love knows no bounds and this shows in the new Sweden Town Park playground that is accessible to all,” Ketchum said in presenting the award.
“It is not just an accessibility issue,” Zyra said. “I have had this personal interest for some time. When you look at a lot of recreation facilities that are supposed to be friendly to individual developmental issues, there are not many opportunities for a child in a wheelchair to get involved with a child who is not. My goal has been to break down that barrier and allow the interaction.” The Splash Pad does just that.
Sweden Community Recreation Board Activities
•Secured $250,000 grant for construction of playground fully inclusive of children with special needs
•Secured $148,000 donation added with Town’s CDBG Monroe County grant of $80,000 for Splash Pad
These are some of other activities over the last 12 years.
Grants between $650 and $446,145 were obtained for the following:
•Start the Challenger Tennis program (photo at right)
•Various Eagle Scout Projects
•Sweden Town Park field 5 fencing
•Village of Brockport Walk Program
•Little League improvements at Sweden Town Park
•Tot Spot equipment at Seymour Library
•Sweden Town Park score board
•Sweden/Clarkson Community Center fitness equipment
•Building field at Sweden Town Park
•Fencing at Clarkson Town Park for Rodeo events
•NYS grant for Sweden Town Park upgrades & improvements
•Funded grant writer in successful quest for $446,145 Sweden Town Park Lodge
•Continuing to sponsor Westside Challenger Baseball and Westside Challenger Tennis
