Dunkirk Observer

Patterson ends rooftop campout after 125 hours

Donations pass $3000 mark, pledge tally still pending

 

The rooftop expedition of Bob Patterson came to an end Wednesday after 125 hours and several thousand dollars in donations.

Mr. Patterson, the city youth and recreation director, began his campout on the roof of city hall in downtown Dunkirk at noon on Friday as a fundraising effort for the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County.

He came down at 5 p.m. Wednesday for a total of 125 hours on the roof. His goal was to spend at least 100 hours on the roof, a mark he passed at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Donations totaling more than $3,000 were made by visitors to Mr. Patterson’s rooftop campsite. In addition, pledges have been made by various groups, businesses and individuals in the community based on the number of hours Mr. Patterson stayed on the roof.

Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Lynn Dorler said the pledges have not been totaled yet, but should be in the next few days.

The pledges amount will be added to the $3,000 collected already to support the various programs the club offers.

The Boys & Girls Club is located in the Masonic Building in the 300 block of Central Avenue in downtown Dunkirk. Mr. Patterson is on the club’s board of directors.

The last day of the rooftop stay was similar to the first, with rain showers. Wednesday night provided one of the more tense moments, with lightning in the area. However, Mr. Patterson said the lightning did not seem to be near city hall.

The biggest effect of the rooftop stay was related to all the food that was donated and sent up to Mr. Patterson.

“I’ve been eating a lot of donated food. It hasn’t been good for my waistline,” he said with a laugh.

Now that he’s down from the rooftop, Mr. Patterson said he plans to rest before leaving on a vacation with his family.

Mr. Patterson said he was pleased with the publicity and the donations the event generated for the Boys & Girls Club.

Would he do it again?

Mr. Patterson said that is something that would have to be discussed with his family and the board of directors at a later point. He noted the event would likely lose some of its unique appeal if it were done frequently in the same format.

However, as the pledges are tallied and added to the donation total, it appears the event was clearly a success.


The additional financial assistance of the community is critical to the success of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame.
We gratefully acknowledge these individuals and organizations for their generous support.