Reuniting Kennett Township

By Mary Alice Garrett

This story originally appeared June 2, 1994 in the News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware.

Bill Buffington has spent most of his adult life helping the needy in the Kennett Square, Pa., area. He delivered his first Christmas basket in 1954, just after his release from the Navy. He has expanded the basket-delivery program each year since. Buffington has been involved with Kennett Area Community Service for 39 years, serving as chairman for 18 of those years. The United Way organization provides help not only at Christmas but throughout the year. Last summer, Buffington spearheaded the first Unity Day in the Park in Kennett Square. The multicultural event was so popular that it has become an annual affair.

Q. How did Unity Day in the Park come about?

A. Unity Day came about a year before at our Human Services [a social services group] meeting. We [residents of the Kennett area] had just gone through four murders and a mushroom [workers] strike. I said to the committee, "I think we've got to do something to bring the community back together again." They said, "Go ahead with it." We had ethnic entertainment and ethnic foods. It was such a success - everybody wants to continue with it.

Q. So you are staging the second annual Unity Day - with expanded activities?

A. Yes. We will have more ethnic entertainment, more ethnic food. There will be Chinese, Korean, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Irish, Scottish [entertainment and food], a black group of 60 children doing a drill, Chinese martial arts, Jewish music, a Chinese violinist, gospel music, show tunes, gymnastics, a karate demonstration and square dancing. We are expanding the crafts, too. We're having Ukrainian crafts, African, Puerto Rican, Mexican and Taiwanese crafts and street rods [cars] - at least 50.

We start out with a parade of flags. That's my pet. Most of the flag-bearers will be in traditional dress. We will have all of the program interpreted in sign language as well as in Spanish.

Q. Who helps you with Unity Day?

A. We have a committee of 10. There's Ruth Brown, Mary Buffington, Charles S. Cramer Sr. [Kennett Square's mayor], Sister Jane Houtman, Sally Palic, Guillermo Rivera, Shirley Rudoplh, Stefanie Sobczynski and Jody Thompson. This year, the consul general of Mexico, Alma Patricia Soria Ayuso, will attend. Andrew Dinniman, the Chester County commissioner from West Chester, will be here also, [along with] borough and county officials.

Q. I understand you are also lobbying for more affordable housing in the area?

A. Oh yes. We had a very successful housing meeting [May 26]. Sixteen people came. The general consensus was that this was a solid step forward in really doing something. We will draft a mission statement and look for further avenues to explore. ... We have the senior center, two Spanish centers, a number of churches and some individuals involved.

Q. Will you get federal funds for this?

A. Oh, I think eventually. Right now, we're just in the planning stage.

Q. I know you also recently volunteered your time at Anson B. Nixon Park.

A. I [put] 1,000 tons of stone in the park for the Kennett Run [race]. The park bought the stone. I did most of the spreading. We had volunteers who did a lot of the handwork. There are 1 1/2 miles of trails.

Q. Do you have any other projects planned for the future?

A. No, not really. l’ve got a lot of ideas for the future, but nothing definite at the present time. ... My main thrust right now is Unity Day. I don’t like a lot of publicity. I just like to do things.

Q. How rewarding is your volunteer work?

A. The thank-you notes you get are rewarding. I had one very poor Mexican family. The woman called and asked me to come over at 10 on a Sunday. She had chicken tortillas for me. That really meant a lot to me. That’s all that she could do. I have had some elderly people who couldn’t have gotten heat in the house [last winter] if it hadn’t been for me getting money for them [through the Kennett Area Community Service].

Q. How do you feel about the success of the first Unity Day?

A. We had over 800 people. They all stayed. They all mingled. It seems like they all enjoyed themselves. And that’s what I'm doing it for. Kennett Square is a very conservative place. There are some people who don’t even know what’s going on next door to them. Everybody should get along. There’s good and bad in every race.

Q. You’ve battled polio and cancer. How’s your health now?

A. I feel fine. At 16, I couldn't walk. ... I spent 52 days in Chester County Hospital. ... My second cancer operation was seven years ago. I have no restrictions. I am very lucky.

PROFILE

June 2, 1994

NAME: William Buffington

AGE: 65

FAMILY: Wife, Mary; three daughters, one son and five grandchildren.

RESIDENCE: Norway Road, Kennett Township, Pa.

EDUCATION: Attended Kennett High School.

HOBBIES: Volunteer work, traveling and collecting bells.