Sewickley Herald Joanne Barron, August 5, 2010 Mark Wiggins of Leet Township doesn't consider himself shy. He's a scout leader, hockey coach and nurse at The Medical Center Beaver. But, he said, he wouldn't just go up to someone and initiate conversation. And, although he might have some good ideas, he admitted he's not the type to take action on his own and is not a "start it up" kind of person. At age 50 though, he's starting to change his ways. Because of courses he has taken through Landmark Education, which offers programs for personal training and development, he is helping to "build community" in his own neighborhood. As a requirement for the seminar, "Self-Expression and Leadership," taught at the Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh Green Tree, students must choose a community project they felt was important to their lives. As Wiggins looked around his neighborhood, he knew what he wanted to do. "I see some bullying going on and kids in cliques. The parents don't know each other. So, I wanted to create a fun day for the children that was educational and entertaining," he said. He contacted eight families, some that lived close to each other but were not acquainted. They each agreed to host a one to two-hour "Sunday Fun Day" at their homes. Wiggins said he didn't expect 100-percent turnout every time, but he is pleased by neighbors' reactions and positive responses. One day was water day when kids got to hit a moving target with squirt guns, run relay races and have a wet sponge war. Another day focused on teaching children how to tune up their bicycles and included a ride through the neighborhood. The last fun day will be held at a local swimming pool where a potluck dinner will be held Aug. 15 to celebrate the close of summer. Even though Wiggins said he isn't required to do so, he will continue the fun days next summer and try to increase the number of families who participate by 50 percent. Wiggins said his twins, Nina and Noah, 10, look forward to Sundays, and they soon will be traveling with their parents to Toronto, Canada, to take their own Learning Education class. Wiggins and his wife got started with Landmark Education after taking the advice of his brother, David, who had been encouraging him to take a class for more than a decade. They started out with the Landmark Education forum in Washington, D.C. and went on to take other seminars and classes. Deborah Beroset, Landmark Education public relations director, said of the more than 50 seminars offered, "Self Expression and Leadership" is her favorite. There have been more than 100,000 community projects done since the company began nine years ago. "It never ceases to amaze me the creativity of the projects of these people who might have have an idea but didn't have the inspiration to pursue it and fulfill it. I love to see them make a positive impact some in their own neighborhoods and others on an international level." Bobbie Gordon of Wexford, a regional leader, said many Pittsburgh projects have been done as a result of the class. Landmark Education's courses and seminars are offered in 20 countries around the world. More than 200,000 people participate in Landmark's courses each year. Before getting involved in Landmark Education classes, Wiggins said he never would have dreamed of putting together such a community project. "It helps you come out of your skin, put things in the past behind you and engage with other people. It is such a positive experience and people were so encouraging, telling me it was a good idea," he said. "My goal is to try to inspire others to do something like this in their own neighborhoods." To find out more about Landmark Education, visit www.landmarkeducation.com. Those interested in taking classes at the Raddison in Green Tree are encouraged to call 412-288-9400 to find out dates and times. Only students completing the Leadership Education forum can move on to other classes.
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