In the early 1960’s, local homeowners recognized they could be better served by a local fire department. According to the web site of the Griffin Fire Department, “A citizen’s group solicited time, money, and skills from the 1,035 property owners in the area. Five thousand dollars was raised to start building the first two fire barns. These barns eventually became [Griffin Fire] Station 13-1 and Station 13-2. The Prosperity Grange leased adjacent land to the Department for the construction of the first barn (Station 13-1). Station 13-2 was built next to Rignall Hall. The construction of these buildings was done by volunteers. An auxiliary was formed and raised money for equipment and two fire trucks.”
The community banded together to make a sizeable investment in an important asset of benefit to the entire community.
Now is the time for residents of the Griffin area to come together again and help to build a facility all of us can use. I’m speaking of the St. Christopher’s Church community center.
I’ve written in this space of the project. This last August, I wrote about the groundbreaking for the expanded parking lot. Two months earlier, I wrote a piece that included an artist’s rendering of the project.
Progress is continuing, both in activities on-site and in planning with the County’s Development Office. But participation by the community – financial contributions from those of us who recognize the value of this project – is needed.
This last summer, we published a letter regarding the project. That letter read, in part:
For the past 10 years the members of St. Christopher’s Church (79th and Steamboat Island Road) have been planning a facility that will have a positive impact on the lives of all of us living in this area. Our projected 6,000 square foot community center includes multi-purpose rooms, a conference room and a large divisible meeting room. This project has been designed in large part in response to neighborhood surveys submitted by many of you. To build a facility for use an hour or so each week makes little sense compared to daily use by our neighbors.
St. Christopher’s members have raised just under a half million towards this 1.5 million dollar project and can take on a certain amount of debt.
With its Steamboat Island Road entryway, lighted parking, and clean modern facilities, this center will meet the needs of all ages and support many activities from scouts to 12-Step programs, after school tutoring, neighborhood association meetings, and senior activities to name just a few. We hope to be designated as a Red Cross Disaster Center.
You can help this facility happen with your gift to: “St. Christopher Community Center.” The appropriate IRS acknowledgment will be sent to you.
If you would like more information, please call 866-2111.
It was my pleasure to make a contribution to this project and I hope you will consider doing so, too. Although I’m not a member of the church, I believe the project will provide the entire community with a useful facility, conveniently located near the midpoint of the Steamboat Island peninsula.
In 1962, area residents dug deep and created a lasting resource that contributed a great deal to the quality of life here in the Griffin area. Now is the time for residents to come together and support the St. Christopher Community Center.
Click here to make a secure contribution, using a credit card, on St. Christopher’s web site.
— MARK MESSINGER