HELP REVIVE THE CARVER CENTER
Donation protected
“HELP REVIVE THE CARVER CENTER AND POOL”
GOAL $150,000
WHY IS THERE
A GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER COMMUNITY CENTER?
THE STORY…
THE HISTORY OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER COMMUNITY CENTER
On July 5, 1944, Stanley A. McClennon, Jr., nickname “Junior”, Mary Johnson, Elaine Baptiste, Edna Pennington, and Lillian Pennington went swimming in the “Kings Bath Tub”, a swimming hole behind the Norristown State Hospital, since Blacks were not allowed to swim at any public facilities in Norristown.
Mary was the only one swimming; she went down at least three (3) times. Junior, as he was called, went in to get her out; he only knew how to “doggie paddle” as he learned at Boy Scout Camp. That afternoon two children died needlessly. The death of these two (2) children triggered and inspired the origin of the George Washington Carver Community Center.
To continue the tradition of safety in swimming, the George Washington Carver Community Center opened their doors for swimming in fun and safety in 1960 for many children of every race, color and creed in the Norristown Community.
THIS TRAGEDY BIRTHED THE
George Washington Carver Community Center
249 E. Jacoby Street, Norristown, PA 19401
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY…
A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THE BEGINNINGS OF A “NEW DAY.”
“It is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank, that counts. These mean nothing. It is simply service that measures success.”
-- George Washington Carver
PARENTS, MOTHERS AND FATHERS WORKED TOGETHER TO BRING THIS DREAM TO A REALITY…
“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses”
-- George Washington Carver
“No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind”
-- George Washington Carver
THE FAMILIES THAT BRAVED THE TRAGEDY AND
Transformed the Landscape
Within their Municipality…
Would later Institute the CARVER’S mission to meet the needs of the Norristown Community…
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide, foster and encourage recreation, education, and principles of good citizenship among the youth and adults of the community in order to improve their minds, morals, and bodies for the betterment of themselves and consequently of the Community, State, and Nation. We will incorporate new programs as deemed necessary for the advancement and growth of the community.
“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses”
-- George Washington Carver
THE CARVER POOL BEFORE CLOSING IN 2014
The sad results of a harsh winter and a lack of funding forced the closing of the pool for the summer of 2014.
“When I was young, I said to God, 'God, tell me the mystery of the universe.' But God answered, 'That knowledge is for me alone.' So I said, 'God, tell me the mystery of the peanut.' Then God said, 'Well George, that's more nearly your size.' And he told me.”
-- George Washington Carver
Carver community cleans up with hopes of filling the pool in 2015
THANK YOU,
The George Washington Carver Center’s Community and its Board of Directors
GOAL $150,000
WHY IS THERE
A GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER COMMUNITY CENTER?
THE STORY…
THE HISTORY OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER COMMUNITY CENTER
On July 5, 1944, Stanley A. McClennon, Jr., nickname “Junior”, Mary Johnson, Elaine Baptiste, Edna Pennington, and Lillian Pennington went swimming in the “Kings Bath Tub”, a swimming hole behind the Norristown State Hospital, since Blacks were not allowed to swim at any public facilities in Norristown.
Mary was the only one swimming; she went down at least three (3) times. Junior, as he was called, went in to get her out; he only knew how to “doggie paddle” as he learned at Boy Scout Camp. That afternoon two children died needlessly. The death of these two (2) children triggered and inspired the origin of the George Washington Carver Community Center.
To continue the tradition of safety in swimming, the George Washington Carver Community Center opened their doors for swimming in fun and safety in 1960 for many children of every race, color and creed in the Norristown Community.
THIS TRAGEDY BIRTHED THE
George Washington Carver Community Center
249 E. Jacoby Street, Norristown, PA 19401
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY…
A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THE BEGINNINGS OF A “NEW DAY.”
“It is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank, that counts. These mean nothing. It is simply service that measures success.”
-- George Washington Carver
PARENTS, MOTHERS AND FATHERS WORKED TOGETHER TO BRING THIS DREAM TO A REALITY…
“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses”
-- George Washington Carver
“No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind”
-- George Washington Carver
THE FAMILIES THAT BRAVED THE TRAGEDY AND
Transformed the Landscape
Within their Municipality…
Would later Institute the CARVER’S mission to meet the needs of the Norristown Community…
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide, foster and encourage recreation, education, and principles of good citizenship among the youth and adults of the community in order to improve their minds, morals, and bodies for the betterment of themselves and consequently of the Community, State, and Nation. We will incorporate new programs as deemed necessary for the advancement and growth of the community.
“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses”
-- George Washington Carver
THE CARVER POOL BEFORE CLOSING IN 2014
The sad results of a harsh winter and a lack of funding forced the closing of the pool for the summer of 2014.
“When I was young, I said to God, 'God, tell me the mystery of the universe.' But God answered, 'That knowledge is for me alone.' So I said, 'God, tell me the mystery of the peanut.' Then God said, 'Well George, that's more nearly your size.' And he told me.”
-- George Washington Carver
Carver community cleans up with hopes of filling the pool in 2015THANK YOU,
The George Washington Carver Center’s Community and its Board of Directors
Organizer
James Fazola
Organizer
Norristown, PA
