PHOTO PROVIDED Pleasant Gap/Bellefonte Rotary member Dave Kantner presents Dave Witherite with a plaque and announcement of a scholarship in his name from the club.

PHOTO PROVIDED
Pleasant Gap/Bellefonte Rotary member David Witherite presents Gene “Jumbo” Martz with the Community Service Award.

PLEASANT GAP — On Dec. 4, the Pleasant Gap/Bellefonte Rotary Club held its annual Senior Citizen Christmas Party at CPI in Pleasant Gap.

Residents from the Spring Township area and The Oaks filled the cafeteria while members of the Pleasant Gap United Methodist Church and Boy Scouts served over 250 people.

There were several highlights to the evening.

Gene “Jumbo” Martz was presented with a Community Service Award for his dedication to umpiring for the Pleasant Gap League and coaching for the Bellefonte Teener League. He also continues to work as a crossing guard at Pleasant Gap Elementary School as he has for the last 40 years. Jumbo volunteers yearly at the Rotary Big Blue Raffle stand at the Grange Fair, even without being a Rotary member. This year, he put in 80 hours.

The club also surprised member David Witherite with a plaque and a scholarship in his name to be given to a CPI student in the Carpentry and Building Construction Technology program. Dave exemplifies the international Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

For decades, he has given not only time and energy, but also heart and vision to the Pleasant Gap community. He has inspired many to do more, give more and care more deeply about neighbors, the community and the world we share. This was a true surprise for Witherite.

The evening was capped off with holiday music by World Premier’s Entertainer, Zupe.

If you are a resident of Spring Township and would like to attend future events, please reach out to a local member.