2010 International Youth Activity Award
First Place
William J. Leahy Council 1307
Astoria, Ore.
The auditorium of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Astoria, Ore., is used every day by the students while also serving as the primary activity center for the parish.
The floor of the auditorium was 3 feet below street level, and also below the level of the adjoining kitchen, cafeteria and rest rooms, making it inaccessible for people who use wheelchairs.
Over a fourweek period last August, the members of William J. Leahy Council 1307 fixed that.
Fifty-three council members spent approximately 900 hours raising the floor of the auditorium 3 feet. This involved installing concrete base walls, floor joists, sub floors and, finally, floor tiles.
The cost of the materials was provided at the bequest from the estate of a council member and former students of the school. By performing the work themselves, the Knights saved approximately $30,000 in labor costs.
As a result of the efforts of the council, people who use wheelchairs — and the elderly — can now comfortably and easily access the breakfasts, luncheons, social events, dinners, receptions and Bingo games held in the auditorium on a regular basis.