By Terrie Ward

During the Synthetic Turf Council’s (STC’s) Annual Membership Meeting Oct. 2-4 in Dallas, a 5,700-sq.-ft. synthetic turf play field was donated through the generosity of its members to the children of SafeHaven of Tarrant County.  Funding for the entire community service project was made possible through donations of materials and labor from STC’s member companies.

For more than 35 years, SafeHaven of Tarrant County has changed the lives of countless women and children caught in abusive relationships.  Its mission is to end domestic violence through safety, support, prevention and social change. According to Mary Lee Hafley, CEO, SafeHaven, many times a child in an abusive situation will take on a parental role in an effort to protect his or her mother.  This new synthetic turf play field will allow a child to just be a child.

Unveiled during a “ribbon-cutting” ceremony on Oct. 2, the event not only showcased the new play field, but also featured many local area dignitaries and VIPs, including Hafley; Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck; Scott McQuary, deputy regional director from Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s office;  STC Chairman John B. Giraud; STC President Rick Doyle; several STC members and, of course, the children from SafeHaven of Tarrant County.

Dedicating the play field at SafeHaven was a great way to kick off the annual meeting and to get members engaged in a worthwhile cause.  It was also during this meeting that the 2012-13 Board of Directors was introduced:

• John Baize, ACT Global Sports, Chairman
• Scott Lowrie, Controlled Products, Vice Chairman
• Davis Lee, InnovaNet Group, Secretary
• Jake Alexander, Genan, Treasurer
• Bob Thomas, ProGrass, Director at Large
• Zach Burns, The Motz Group
• Alastair Cox, Labosport International
• Craig Honkomp, Sportsworks Field Design
• Dale Karmie, ForeverLawn
• Jeff Kendall, Liberty Tire Recycling
• David Moxley, Sportsfield Specialties
• Heard Smith, AstroTurf/SYNLawn

To view photos from the dedication ceremony at SafeHaven of Tarrant County, click on the STC’s FaceBook page SafeHaven & STC Dedication of Play Field Photos.