Lower Burrell aims to improve communication, collaboration among community groups

More than three dozen community groups in Lower Burrell gathered last week to share information and determine how they might pool resources.

The event, organized by city officials, drew representatives from 38 organizations, including youth sports boosters, civic groups, parade organizers, businesses, schools, police, firefighters and Lower Burrell’s parks commission. Forty-three groups were invited.

“We want to be very much meshed and very into the community. That is our job,” said Wildlife Lanes owner Mark McCandless, among those who attended.

State Reps. Abby Major, R-Leechburg, and Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, also were on hand.

“The turnout speaks to how much everyone in Lower Burrell cares,” Mayor Chris Fabry said.

In the past, Fabry said, some groups scheduled events that unknowingly conflicted with others.

The meeting produced immediate results, according to Fabry. Several groups in need of volunteers received offers from people in attendance, while other groups picked up fundraising ideas and parade organizers acquired new participants and helpers, the mayor said.

At the meeting, officials said they would compile a list of all events and post them to the city’s website and social media.

Fabry said he hopes to hold similar meetings at least once a year.

“It was great to see so many groups immediately engage with one another. We had instant volunteers, parade participants, suggestions (and more),” Fabry said. “It was clear that this should — and will — be done on a yearly basis. So much good came from this that residents will see in the coming months.”