Jim Granville

Many of us at some point in time have seen a need in our community or felt compassion towards the plight of another. We have been moved in our hearts but somehow that concern didn't translate to taking an active part in its resolution. "What can one person do? How can I make a difference?" Those thoughts often leave us in a place of hopelessness that breeds inactivity. Throughout my interviewing experiences I have been fortunate to talk to so many people who have decided to look past the extent of the job and have focused on the end product. One of these individuals, Jim Granville of Lower Burrell, has proven that with passion many things are possible

Jim hasn't just taken up one project to call his own, he has invested himself in many. He has just finished ten years as Board President at the New Kensington/Lower Burrell Community Library, will be taking up position of Rotary president, is Chair of the Survivors Dinner for Relay for Life, is involved with the Lower Burrell Parks Commission as well as the city website.

I asked Jim how he got involved in all these things and he credits Lower Burrell Mayor Kinosz for most of it. "I started on the library board, that’s where I met Mayor Kinosz. He asked me to be in the Rotary and then later the city of Lower Burrell. He has such a love and dedication to the city I kinda feed off of his enthusiasm."

As Jim stated, being a part of the library was just the beginning. Although he will be ending his position as president, Jim will still be involved as acting secretary. "I would like to see a "friends of the library" group formed and would like to work on that down the road." This group would help with fundraisers and other activities. The library has yearly book sales, Lunch with the Library, golf tournaments, and other activities to raise money for its support. Besides helping with these things, Jim also attends monthly board meetings.

One of the major investments Jim has made would be his involvement in the Lower Burrell Rotary. The Rotary is the largest service organization in the world. In 1987 their goal was to eradicate Polio in the world by 2005. " Last year the number of cases was down to 357 cases…we’re getting there’ stated Jim. Besides projects in other countries such as vaccinations against polio and well building in Nigeragua, the Rotary raises a lot of funds for local needs. They make donations to the Salvation Army, library, and park projects to just name a few. In addition they take names from an Angel Tree every year at Christmas. This year they took sixty-two names and bought them gifts. The amazing thing about this was the money for these gifts didn't come from any fundraiser or special account; it came from the handful of individuals that make up the Lower Burrell Rotary.

He is also involved with the Lower Burrell Parks Commission and other city projects. He has worked along side others to help get funding and carry out projects in Wolf Pack Park as well as other Burrell parks. They also helped raise money for the flood victims in September. They got $2,100 and food in cooperation with Kinloch Fire Department, Oakbridge Academy and Newport business School.

One of Jim's goals is to get a listing of the businesses in Lower Burrell put on the city website. "We sent out letters but I would like to visit businesses and get them to sign permission slips so we can list them on the site." Jim also tries to keep track of vacant commercial property in Lower Burrell and put them on site in hopes of drawing new businesses into the area and filling empty buildings. You can check out the website by going to http://www.cityoflowerburrell.com/body.htm

And last but certainly not least is Jim's involvement with the Alle-Kiski Relay for Life. This past year he was the media chair who worked on team recruiting, This year he was very honored to be asked to be the Chair of the Survivors dinner. His responsibilities will be to try to get survivors to come to a free dinner, which follows a survivors lap at Memorial Park in New Kensington. Jim has a family member who is a cancer survivor so this event is close to his heart. "It gives you inspiration to see how many other survivors are out there. It also give people a place to talk about cancer and get support from others." Their first year they raised $24,000 and last year, their third, they raised $48,000. "This year I would like to be able to raise over 50,000."

After just reading an overview of Jim's life it is plain to see that we can make a difference. We can do this by taking up our part and realizing that it isn’t just one person that changes the face of our streets, our neighborhoods our towns. It the efforts of willing individuals like Jim whose collective works can do miracles.

To watch the video, go to www.alle-kiskitoday.com/video/dedicated