FACes & PlaceS
LOCAL COLOR 2004

Pattie Beans Clark
by Mary Kroszner

Pattie Beans Clark has lived in Solebury Township for 7 years with her husband Bill and two sons but she’s probably best known for her spirited fundraising initiatives, specifically Track 2002. Having always been interested in fitness and the outdoors, she found the perfect opportunity to do both as she became involved with her children’s lives as one of the organizers of the first NH-S track team and as a track and field coach for the past four years. She is also on the board of directors for the Bucks 5k Series and a race-director for the NH-S Community Association Spirit Run

About 5 years ago, Pattie’s neighbor, Karen Ippolito, a mother of five whose oldest daughter was a runner but without a team, spoke with Pattie about the need for track teams in the NH-S School District and they both decided to do something about it. Together they initiated track teams for grades 5-12. But that isn’t the end of the story. In fact it’s only the beginning of the race.

Track teams need a track. In 2000, with the support of the NH-S Community Association, who financed the gym at NH-S high school and the Pat Livezey soccer fields, Pattie began to work passionately to make a track at the NH-S High School a reality. Originally their goal was to raise $200,000.00 but, without financial support from the school district and estimated costs of $350,000.00, completion by 2002 was impossible. Ultimately the final cost of Project 2002 would be $450,000.00 with completion expected during the summer of 2004.

Just how does one raise $450,000.00? Commitment and passion. Pattie devoted fulltime hours to fundraising and encouraging community spirit in NH-S. From a hoedown in a local barn to a Hawaiian Luau in someone’s backyard, Pattie’s creative community spirit began to draw many sponsors and individual contributors. Road races on the 1st Sunday in April became an annual event five years ago and this year the Bucks County 5K Series “Spirit Run” raised $15,000 through sponsorships and entry fees from over 400 runners.

In 2004 race funds were not needed for the Track 2002 project and were used instead to fund different sports teams at NH-S High School, as well as provide scholarships. After the dedication of the NH-S High School track in the fall of 2004, Pattie hopes to see the track used by the New Hope and Lambertville communities to sponsor future Relay for Life runs and Special Olympics competitions. In fact, the track includes eight starting lanes in anticipation of these additional community sponsorships.

As you can imagine completing this project has not stopped Pattie from being involved in her community. On several week-day evenings and early on Saturday and Sunday mornings she joins her fellow team mates at the Swan Creek Rowing Club in Lambertville, NJ. Pattie is the sweep in a “quad” and she and 3 others have recently begun to enjoy rowing competitively. Not one to join and let others do all the volunteer work, Pattie also serves as secretary for the Swan Creek Rowing Club Board.

Although Pattie works for the community in other ways – she is assistant to George Bramhall, Republican committee chair for Solebury Township and she serves on State Representative Bernie O’Neil’s community watchdog group - what Pattie really enjoys is her work at Heritage Towers in Doylestown, PA, doing activities with seniors. She has been working part-time with senior citizens for almost 5 years and hopes to turn this work into a new career.

Feeling herself in a transition of sorts, Pattie isn’t sure where the next years will take her. I’d keep an eye on that NH-S High School track though. Once the dedication is complete, the community will need someone to initiate those Relay for Life and Special Olympic events for the New Hope / Lambertville area and Pattie Beans Clark is the perfect one to carry the torch!