Pinewood Pacers help neighbors connect

An informal group around Pinewood Elementary has been bringing the community closer and building a neighborhood.

Community member and Marysville teacher Jim Strickland has formed the 'Pinewood Pacers group so that more people in his community can meet and get to know each other.

He started the program after his experience jogging in the area.

"I was actually running around the neighborhood for a fundraiser I was doing for Leah's Dream Foundation," said Strickland. "In the process of doing that I got to know a lot of my neighbors."

The Pinewood Pacers group includes those who want to be committed to building a neighborhood that gets to know each other while walking around.

Some are joggers who exercise around the neighborhood, some are walkers and many are dog-walkers, said Strickland.

"It really helps you feel connected to your neighbors just seeing them time after time and being aware of each other's faces," said Strickland.

Member Kathy Higgins said she joined to help make others happy.

"We're friendly people and Jim wanted people that were happy and could spread good cheer," she said. "That's the whole idea of what we want to do."

Member Pam Gallagher said it has been fun getting to know other people around the neighborhood.

"It's such a great group," she said.

"When he gives you a T-shirt you feel kind of obligated," she joked.

The group has T-shirts available for anyone who wants to join, which help members recognize and reach out to each other while they're walking.

"As you saw that T-shirt you knew you had that connection there, that you had the same goal of creating a neighborhood out of this area," said Strickland.

The idea is to help people become more willing to reach out to others they see in their community.

"It's given me a reason to get to know my neighbors and come together," said Strickland.

Strickland has dubbed the area the 'Pinewood' neighborhood around the elementary school in the center of it. As far as he knows the area doesn't have a well-known official neighborhood name.

"We're still in the beginning stages and the thing we're trying to do is spread the word," said Strickland.

"Once COVID is over we hope we can do more events where we come together," he said, and he hopes the group can be the beginning of bigger neighborhood organizations as well.

"It's very sad to think that you live in an area where you don't even know your neighbors," said Strickland.

Knowing the people who live around you will help people lead more fulfilling lives, he said.

"Just the real fact that you can help each other, that makes your community stronger and makes your community safer," said Strickland.

Strickland has also been talking to the principal at Pinewood Elementary to get students involved as well.

"We want to help to build those inter-generational connections, because there's very little chance an elementary school student is going to get to know one of these seniors unless there's something that brings them together," he said.

Those projects are still in progress.

Pinewood Pacers shirts are still available for those who are interested and Strickland said that the first 20 shirts will be given out for free. For a shirt or more information, e-mail Strickland at [email protected].