Municipal News

Last Updated on Monday, 04 January 2021 04:01

By Matthew Peaslee

Bikers Helping Others and Bill's Dek Hockey were named ‘Organizations of the Year’ at the Dec. 8 North Belle Vernon council meeting held at the VFD social hall on Broad Ave. Councilman and recreation chairperson R.J. Sokol provided $1,000 checks to representatives of each organization.

Representatives from Bikers Helping Others receive their award for ‘Organization of the Year.’

Bikers Helping Others members provide security during events at Community Bank Park and help with repairs to the facilities.

"We help those in need," said Dave Sethman of Bikers Helping Others.

The generous contribution to Bikers Helping Others will go towards an event planned for Aug. 22 to thank Vietnam Veterans. Sethamn said it will be a chance for the veterans to get the rightful respect that they deserve. The event includes brining a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to Washington Twp. and the Bell Vernon Area School District.

Since 2014, members of Bill's Dek Hockey have provided the most volunteer hours of any organization or individual person.

"They've put us on the hockey map within three states and five counties," Sokol said.

Six different school districts take advantage of services offered by Community Bank Park, including learn-how-to-play hockey programs for handicapped adults.

Sokol touted the recent achievements of the recreation commission which include many improvements to Community Bank Park. Eight new polyurethane, ADA-compliant picnic tables were installed, new safety lighting was added, an instant hot water heated was put in for the kitchenette, new netting was placed at the soccer field, a new bench area was added for dek hockey and many hand-sanitizing stations were put in to slow the spread of COVID-19, among other projects.

"The park brings value to the geographic area in numerous ways," Sokol said.