Roberta: Giving, Active, & Fun
There is one specific characteristic of Roberta Ayers that we could all emulate more…always find a way.
At a few months shy of 73, this woman is a force of nature and not slowing down.
She is full of life in a way that is notable. There is a physical presence of her energy when she is in the room. She could share story after story of the places she has been and experiences she has had and smiles the entire time while telling them.
A few years ago, Roberta had the desire to join the Mead Park Association. Wanting to give back to the park that she loves so dearly, she sought out to become of service on their board.
Unfortunately, because Mead Park and the Association are entities of the City of Corry, you must be a resident of the City in order to serve on the board. Roberta, who was born, raised, and is currently a resident of nearby Columbus Township, was determined and found a way.
She founded the Friends of Mead Park in 2016.
Creating this auxiliary group for Mead Park was her way to continue to be active and help the board members with financially and physically caring for the park through providing volunteers and hosting events. Most notably, for the last few years, the Friends of Mead Park have held the Reindeer Trail during the first weekend of December.
Since 2020, the Reindeer Trail has transformed from a family-friendly, in-person event into a drive-thru lights display where community members are encouraged to enter by the Bracken baseball field and follow the trail through the park and out by the Rotary wheel.
Roberta’s eyes light up in a way that rivals those holiday displays as she mentions how thankful the community was in December 2020 when this version of the event was established, “They hadn’t even gone through yet and were already asking us if we’d hold it again the next year.”
The Reindeer Trail raised over $5,000 of donations that inaugural year and the support from local organizations who participate in decorating and community members who attend has grown since.
“I am very happy with the people of Corry and how much they give to the Reindeer Trail.”
As you can imagine, Roberta is constantly a mind and body on the move.
She laughs as she talks about bothering her husband because sitting still for an hour of television is too much for her. She loves to do anything outdoors and feel the sunshine. And notes sewing, reading, and traveling with family as some of her favorite activities.
Something worth mentioning with Roberta is her mindset and how she talks about her life and experiences.
Photos by Karrie Garde
She continually says, “We got to go see…” or “I got to visit…”
Every memory is explained with a sense of gratitude for the experience and those who were with her during it. No matter what she is telling you about, it’s presented in way that makes you feel like you should consider taking those trips and trying those things as well.
Roberta recognizes that not everyone is able to do the things she has done or continue to work how she does, and so obviously does not take that ability for granted.
“I am passionate about my health and staying active. I am able to do a lot of things that people my age really can’t do,” she said.
While she is mindful of taking care of herself so that nothing can “slow her down,” she is also mindful of how giving to others comes back to bless you in return.
She recalls the exact memory of seeing President Kennedy as a young girl and hearing those famous words of, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” A phrase she quite literally lives by in her actions still today.
“I try to get other people involved and doing things. There’s great satisfaction in getting people to realize there’s more joy in giving than receiving.”
Roberta is constantly thinking of others and how to improve their days.
Beyond being a friendly face and someone to be active with, she has plans for the Friends of Mead Park to partner with Blue Zones Project – Corry to create a space specifically for senior citizens to get outside and move naturally in a fun way. She shares her ideas and research she’s collected about a “senior citizen playground” that she would like to establish in Mead Park someday.
It's a fun idea, giving space to her peers to play again and enjoy the park she loves so much in a new way. And although it will be a huge undertaking, as any community development project is, Roberta is sure to find a way.
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If you would like to be involved with the Friends of Mead Park, Roberta encourages you to reach out to her on Facebook, she’d welcome any new volunteers.
