The Design Committee of Our Haven Foundation, Inc. is working to create an attractive, coordinated and quality image of downtown Schuylkill Haven; an area where people will want to spend their time. One of Design’s objectives in its 5-year Action Plan is to make the downtown more suitable for sitting, resting & relaxation by purchasing and installing park benches.
The Design Committee researched bench styles and prices and settled on a 6 ft. Hampton Bench made of recycled plastic lumber boards and powder-coated cast aluminum frames. Pricing included the cost of the benches, shipping and handling, and the cost of bronze sponsorship plaques. The benches are guaranteed for 50 years. Our members canvassed business owners in the central business district to obtain permission to install the benches on the sidewalks in front of their buildings. We also worked with the Borough of Schuylkill Haven to purchase, assemble and install the benches.
During the course of the project, several other organizations expressed interest in sponsoring a bench. In early October 2012, five benches were installed in downtown Schuylkill Haven at the following locations:
107 East Main Street – Valenti’s II
17 East Main Street – Economic Development Office
1 East Main Street – Stine’s Pharmacy
20 East Main Street – The Jungle
17 St. John Street – Edward Jones Investments
Funding for this project was supplied by a grant from the Zwerling Community Trust (3 benches), Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association (one bench), and Schuylkill Haven Midget Cheerleaders (one bench). Photographs of the benches and an October 23, 2012 article from the Pottsville Republican Herald follow.
One of three benches presented by Our Haven Foundation and Zwerling Community Trust.
Bench presented by Schuylkill Haven Midget Cheerleaders.
Bench presented by Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association.
Some of you may have seen signs or heard about Our Haven Foundation, but do you know what it is? Our Haven Foundation’s Mission Statement is: “Dedicated to revitalizing Downtown Schuylkill Haven through strong partnerships and community activism.” In simple terms, Our Haven Foundation wants to make our downtown a more spectacular place. We want you to shop in the shops, play at the playgrounds, and enjoy what we have to offer in our wonderful town. However, we cannot do it alone. We need YOUR help. There are several committees within our organization that need more members, and if you cannot help in that way, we also have sponsorship opportunities.
