Habitat for Humanity builds homes for those in need and helps guide new owners through the often-complicated process.
Habitat needs strong board leadership to be successful. Pete Ricker has been a support beam for the local chapter and the Rotary Club of Gettysburg recognized his work Monday during its annual Dwight David Eisenhower Humanitarian Award ceremony.
“Pete is a worker, he was not afraid to get in there and roll up his sleeves. If something needed to be done, he would do it,” Bob Boehner, Habitat volunteer, said during the luncheon held at the Gettysburg Hotel on Lincoln Square.
When nominating Ricker for the honor, Boehner commended him for professionalizing the volunteer organization and building upon previous boards’ successes.
“Over the course of a mortgage, families may face challenges that were not present at the beginning of the project. Pete recognized that flexibility and established policies and practices that protected Adams County Habitat for Humanity and homeowners,” Boehner said. “This foresight and strong financial experience gained in the banking industry proved beneficial as a significant reduction in mortgage delinquency was realized.”
The Palm Springs, Florida, Chamber of Commerce first presented the humanitarian award to Eisenhower in 1967. It was transferred to the Rotary Club of Gettysburg in 2003. The club accepts nominations for the award annually but only awards it when the selection committee believes they have a candidate who fits the criteria. Nominees must be considered for work done outside of their paid employment.
Dr. Michael Birkner, Gettysburg College Eisenhower historian, said Eisenhower was especially honored to receive the award because it is one of few times the highly-decorated Army general was recognized for his humanitarian work. Birkner cited Eisenhower expanding the availability of the polio vaccine as an example of his care for people.
Leah Krichten of Sen. Doug Mastriano’s office and Chris Kimple of Rep. Dan Moul’s office presented Butterfield with citations from the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. Kimple also serves as chair of the Eisenhower Humanitarian Award Committee.
Anna Mae-Kobbe, Rotary Club of Gettysburg foundation chair, presented Butterfield with a Paul Harris Fellow recognizing the club donating $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation in Butterfield’s name. The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
When it came time for Ricker to take to the microphone, he expressed appreciation for the honor and credited those with whom he worked for Habitat’s accomplishments.
“I am the lucky one today,” he said. “We were able to get things done because we worked as a team.”
Featured image caption: The Rotary Club of Gettysburg bestowed its Dwight David Eisenhower Humanitarian Award to Pete Ricker on Monday. Pictured, from left, are: Mike Hanson, club president; Ricker; Dr. Michael Birkner, Gettysburg College Eisenhower professor; Chris Kimple, awards committee chair; Bob Boehner, Habitat for Humanity board member and Ricker’s nominator. (Photo by Alex J. Hayes)
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.