The Central Bucks Rotary Club’s Rotabuild raised funds and completed a $24,000 project that will provide a higher quality of life for 30 children and residents of LifePath's dedicated pediatric facility, Ridge Crest. Ridge Crest is a resource in Sellersville where medically-fragile and technology-dependent children and their families find the help they need through community-based support.  See Slide Show.

Additional thanks to the following volunteers who helped make this effort happen:  Chris Lewis, Bill Rossman, Tim Ernst, Mark Glidden, Jen Walton, Jim Scollon, Mike Raphael, Pam Northrop-Gundlach, Wehrung’s, Taylor Presnell, Kathi Atkinson, Stephan, Chris Kulesh, Trip Northrop, Mike, Scott L., Kathy.
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During frequent visits to Ridge Crest, it became apparent to Rotary members that the children’s spirits greatly improved when they had the opportunity to experience the fresh air and sunshine provided in an outdoor setting. But many of the children suffer from disabilities so severe, that sun exposure risks medical complications. 

Jen Walton, President of Central Bucks Rotary Club, Bill Rossman, Project Manager and Tim Ernst, Rotabuild Chair pulled resources together to develop a solution: the construction of a 12' x 20' cedar timber pergola with a retractable shade system to protect the kids from sun and rain allowing them to enjoy the outdoors. “I thought the outside space and their needs was a good fit for a pergola and retractable shade system”, Tim Ernst commented.

 

“When we visited the children, our hearts opened and we felt responsible to improve their lives in some way”, Jen Walton offered. Bill Rossman adds “I saw the excitement in their eyes when they went outside and knew we had to do something.”

Support of this project has come from many individuals within the Rotary Club, including several industry professionals from Ernst Brothers Design + Builders and Raphael Architects. Additional resources were donated by sponsors such as Wehrung’s, who generously provided more than $5,000 worth of materials at no cost and Scollon Concrete and Masonry, who installed the concrete footings.


More than 150 man hours were donated by local individuals for this project so far. The post and beam cedar timber construction has been completed, and the timber pergola is scheduled to be finished at the end of this month.

Ridge Crest’s facility is made possible by LifePath, providing individualized care for special needs children. LifePath's programs and services revolve around one common theme — to provide individuals with the highest quality care possible in an environment of unconditional love, respect and dignity.