CLEARFIELD – Members of the Clearfield Lions Club held their annual volunteers recognition dinner last night with a special award presented to a community servant and volunteer.
President Sue Swales-Vitullo said she was reading over the Lions Club purpose and ethics, and there were some things that stood out to her.
She said these included taking an active interest in the welfare of the community, encouraging service-minded people to serve without financial reward and encouraging high ethical standards in all we do. Also, we should remember our obligations to our nation, state and community and give of ourselves, she said.
She said all these things brought to mind John Crissman, who created a park along River Road in Clearfield in honor of his late chocolate lab Elliott. He began work in 2007 and the park has grown to include benches, picnic tables, fun and unusual chainsaw carvings (including a Bigfoot, Kevin) and much more.
Currently, Crissman is working on a new project he is reluctant to talk about, but says he expects the visitors at the park will enjoy.
Upon accepting his plaque, Crissman said many people credit him with the park, but it would not have been possible without his fiancée, Carol Turner. He said she has been instrumental in helping to plan projects and do the work.
Swales-Vitullo also thanked other volunteers who have helped with projects over the past year. One of the Lions’ biggest projects is at the Clearfield County Fair every year. And every year, many volunteers are organized and she extended thanks to Dwight Thurston.
Another major fundraiser, in fact the biggest fundraiser for the Lions, is the Pittsburgh Steelers Footballers Basketball game and she thanked her father, Bob Swales, for his hard work in making the event a success.
This year, the Curwensville Lions Club was asked to help out with the event, and Swales-Vitullo presented a check to Jackie Ciamacco and Curwensville Lions President Susan Pike.
