Rutter's supports community playground with $50,000 pledge

Rutter’s Farm Stores, the Pennsylvania, US-based convenience store chain, is donating $50,000 to help the York Jewish Community Centre (JCC) celebrate its 100th anniversary by building a playground.

Rutter’s, which traces its York County farm roots to 1747, has been a long-time supporter of the JCC.

“We have a lot of respect for the JCC’s commitment to our community,” said Scott Hartman, president and CEO of Rutter’s Farm Stores. “We’re proud to honour the organisation’s century of service by supporting a project that we hope will bring joy to many children for the next 100 years.”

The planned playground is a natural playscape, which is designed to appeal to all five senses. It will incorporate loose parts or unstructured props for play and exploration, intended to complement children’s innate interest in the natural environment.

The JCC has hired an internationally known expert to design the playground and to work with the organisation to coordinate a community build. JCC plans to raise $150,000 toward its goal of building the playground between autumn and spring 2011.

“We are very excited about this project and how it will foster healthy learning for the hundreds of children we serve daily,” said Randy Freedman, JCC’s executive director. “We are grateful for Rutter’s support in recognition of JCC’s 100 years of service.”

Family-owned and third generation-managed, Manchester Township-based Rutter’s Farm Stores (www.rutters.com) operates 54 convenience stores in York, Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin and Lancaster counties.

• Rutter’s Farm Stores has been ranked first for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the York Sunday News’ 2010 Best of York league. It beat national brands including McDonald’s, Burger King and Panera Bread.
• Rutter’s Dairy, meanwhile, was ranked first in the milk category. The Dairy, which has served York County since 1921, has won the category every year the survey has been published.
• Rutter’s was ranked second in coffee, behind Starbucks but ahead of Dunkin’ Donuts.