‘Takeover’ Events Planned to Bolster Wood Street Playground
June 10, 2016, By Dave Sutor, Johnstown Tribune-DemocratAs a child, Tony Penna Sr. learned a lot about life while spending countless hours at a playground in Dale Borough.
Having lost his father at a young age, Penna was mentored by several adults, including former Johnstown Mayor Herb Pfuhl, who volunteered their time at the playground.
They not only taught him about sports and other activities but, more importantly, about friendship, teamwork and character. Penna wants to give the same kind of positive memories to children now living in Johnstown.
Starting next week, the longtime educator and coach plans to hold Wood Street Playground Takeover events this summer. The activities will take place at the playground, located at Wood and Cedar streets in the city’s Hornerstown neighborhood, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
“I just want to give back some things to the young kids in our community,” said Penna, who is staging the “takeovers” through his Coaches 4 Kids Foundation.
He plans to provide opportunities for children to play sports, listen to music, watch plays, meet with mentors, enjoy parties, learn life lessons and more.
“Hopefully we’ll get some values through to the young people,” he said.
Penna is receiving assistance from the Goodwill GoodGuides Youth Mentoring Program.
“We are always looking for engaging activities for our kids,” said Cindy O’Connor, youth coordinator and program manager for GoodGuides at Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies
Anyone interested in helping to mentor the children can contact O’Connor at 536-3536, ext. 304.
Dave Sutor is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at (814) 532-5056. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Sutor.