Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club and Bethany Village Dedicate Peace Poles in Celebration of Unity and Inclusion

Mechanicsburg, PA (April 24, 2025) – The Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club (MNRC) and Bethany Village, an Asbury Community in Mechanicsburg, are proud to announce the dedication of two Peace Poles on the Bethany Village campus—a powerful symbol of peace, unity, and global connection.

This meaningful initiative, born out of a collaboration between MNRC members and Bethany Village leadership, reflects a shared commitment to fostering inclusivity and promoting peace both locally and worldwide.

As part of Rotary International District 7390, the Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club joins a global network of more than 1.4 million Rotarians dedicated to “Service Above Self”—with peacebuilding as a central pillar of that service. District 7390’s designation as a Peacebuilding District reinforces Rotary’s global efforts in diplomacy, mediation, and conflict resolution.

The idea for the Peace Poles began when MNRC members David and Judith Clovsky were inspired by Rotary Peace Poles being planted around the globe. At a subsequent meeting, fellow Rotarians Clarence and Susan Asbury expressed their interest, and together the couples approached Brian Grundusky, Executive Director of Bethany Village.

“It was the perfect partnership,” said Grundusky. “At Bethany, we strive to create an environment where peace and unity are at the core of who we are. The Peace Pole project represents our collective desire to contribute to a more peaceful world, starting right here in our community.”

A dedicated planning committee soon came together, uniting the Asburys, Clovskys, Bethany Village residents and associates, and fellow members of the Rotary Club. What began as a vision for a single Peace Pole quickly expanded to two, with Bethany’s Associate Belong Council thoughtfully contributing to the selection of the featured languages.

Each Peace Pole bears the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in eight different languages—chosen to reflect the cultural backgrounds and heritage of Bethany Village residents, staff, and the wider Mechanicsburg community.

Eastside Peace Pole Languages:

• English
• German
• Hebrew
• Arabic
• Mandarin
• Hindi
• Japanese
• Polish

Westside Peace Pole Languages:

• English
• French
• Russian
• Spanish
• Tagalog (Philippines)
• Ukrainian
• Vietnamese
• Lenape (Native American)

To further underscore the commitment to accessibility and inclusion, each Peace Pole also features Braille, along with the logos of Rotary International and Bethany Village.

“With more than 50 years as a Rotarian, I’m proud to see peacebuilding brought to life here at Bethany Village,” said Clarence Asbury. “These poles represent the diverse voices and backgrounds of the residents and associates who make this community so vibrant.”

The official Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., coinciding with the International Day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. The event will welcome Bethany Village residents, representatives from all 40 clubs in Rotary District 7390, and members of the public to celebrate peace, diversity, and shared purpose.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact: 

Bob Saline of Rotary District 7390 at [email protected] or 717-580-8162.

Michelle Curnow, Asbury Communities, Vice President, Sales & Brand at [email protected] or 201-889-8306.