10/01/2026
The story of the rockin’ chair – Rescued, Rebuilt and Repainted by Abraxas I OVR and AI Team Member Erikka Long
“A few weeks ago, Abraxas I donated a hand painted rocking chair to the Brookville Area School District. It will reside in the Library at the Pinecreek Elementary School until they relocate to their new addition being built at Hickory Grove Elementary.
Seven years ago, while pregnant, I was driving home when I spotted a rocking chair, broken on the side of the road. It was pouring down rain, but I stopped anyway - hoping I could bring it back to the Abraxas Woodshop and we could try to fix it up and maybe paint it for my little girl's room. But I went on maternity leave before it was finished.
It had layers and layers of paint, but with Tom McCloskey’s help they cleaned it up, sanded it down and put it back together. It never occurred to me that once it was put back together, it didn't fit in my car. So, there it sat in the woodshop. For years we moved it around, kids hung their coats on it, sat on it, and moved it around some more.
In 2025, we began a football co-op with the Brookville Raiders. At the same time, I moved to the town to give my daughter a fresh start after a difficult school year.
So, after six years we decided to give the chair a purpose. Little by little the details came together, and I couldn't be prouder with how it turned out!
A full circle moment. A principal who welcomed my child with open arms, two young men who helped conquer the finishing touches; one who wanted to learn how to make cool things and the other who also plays for the Brookville Raiders when he's not working on various community projects - the son of a coach who has been pivotal in this co-op, and the little girl that I carried this broken chair out of the rain for.
🫶🏼 I loved everything about this moment!
Special thanks to Tom, and every single young man over the years who worked on this chair!!! To Bob Morrison, for his help with the delivery! And to Kevin McCloskey for tightening it back up and not throwing it out because it constantly remained in everyone's way!”
Thank you Erikka for sharing your story!
Amazing work Abraxas I! Truly making a difference and building better futures in endless ways!
