United Way of Franklin County recently recognized two volunteers in Franklin County for volunteer service to the community.
Norris Overdahl was recognized for his service to Lutheran Home Care and Hospice. Overdahl joined the organization because he identifes with the mission of their work and felt that he could support it in his actions. He works in a nursing home setting, averaging 3-4 patient visits each week, which was a total of over 175 visits in the past year. In some cases he fills a gap for patients who had no one else to talk to, providing compassion and care to many in need. At Hospice, it has become clear to staff, patients, and other volunteers, that he made them a priority in his life.
Yvonne Butts-Mitchell was recognized for her work across community agencies. She's known for her work with the Chamber of Commerce and many of the efforts in the community to develop and identify young leadership. Most recently you can see her work with United Way partners through the Art for the Heart event which helped raise funds to hire a much needed riding instructor for Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center, and in the computer labs at Boys and Girls Club, both projects were coordinated through her work with Embarq to engage the community. "Yvonne has given hours of her own time to organizations all over our community, building bridges and finding resources to make important projects happen." said Amy Hicks, adding, "We're honored by the dedication that volunteers give to our organizations, and the volunteer service award gives us the opportunity to say thank you."
WIN...
Residential Campaign Kicks Off
Beginning with campaign kick off on September 15 and running through the end of October local United Way program participants will be delivering campaign information door to door through out Franklin County in an effort to reach as many county residents as possible. The residential campaign, as in previous years, is only possible by the support and feet on the ground efforts from the Boy Scouts, Mason Dixon and Keystone Council, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, Boys and Girls Club, ARC and the YMCA youth members from both Waynesboro and Chambersburg. When you receive your packages think about the dedication of our youth and their willingness to support their community and help make their efforts worthwhile.
Boys and Girls Club Members pose for a group shot after stuffing 1,000 residential packets that they will deliver in a few weeks.
ADVOCATE
About Legal Services...
They represent landlord and tenant, eviction/lock out, children up to age 18 (protection from abuse), pro-bono divorce, custody law suits, public benefits, unemployment, consumer affairs, foreclosures and sheriff sales. Managing the local office is Carrie Bowmaster, one of three attorneys working with one paralegal. The fee for service is income based.
Franklin County Legal Services (262-2326) is located at 80 North Second St. and represents a number of legal issues including: family law - custody, divorce, support, juvenile law, issues of abuse, neglect, delinquency, housing, and landlord - tenant eviction and consumer protection. The agency offers special outreach to the Spanish and Latino population. The agency requests anominal fee.
FCLS is managed and operated by one employee, Mahesh Rao. Mahesh
represents a number of legal issues including: family law - custody, divorce, support, juvenile law, issues of abuse, neglect, delinquency, housing, and landlord - tenant eviction and consumer protection. The agency offers special outreach to the Spanish and Latino population. The agency requests anominal fee.
Community Involvement
Volunteers can help with various programs such as Win's 24-hour hotline and support, shelter for battered women and children, medical and legal advocacy, prevention
education to schools and groups, counseling support groups for adults and children, fundraising and community events.
To prepare for the opportunity, there is a nine week
training program so volunteers can learn what to do to help others.
The program is held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday evenings starting September 9 and continuing through November 9. It includes 65 hours of lecture and role plays.
You can strengthen the community through volunteering to help others, For more information call 717-264-3056 for more information.
BOPIC Summer...
BOPIC (Building Our Pride In Chambersburg) is an educational and nutritional enrichment summer program for kids in the Chambersburg School District. A strong partnership was forged this year between BOPIC and the school district to enhance the program, which was already providing improved scores for standardized tests.
The new focus for this year increased discipline for the children, increased small group and individual focus for classrooms, and is creating more focus in the classroom and increased participation by the kids.
"I walked into the classes this summer to find kids participating, actively, in discussions, hands raised, and active learning", commented Amy Hicks, executive director of United Way of Franklin County, after viewing the classrooms. "This is an exciting environment to be in."
The summer program brings certified teachers from several of our counties.
United Way of Franklin County serves 28 human service agencies in the county, and covers administrative expenses for their own operations through the United Way of Franklin County Annual Campaign. We work in 5 strategic areas to provide support for the community. This page provides contact information for each agency, as well as the planned division of funding for 2006, and as available, direct links to our member agency websites.
Serving in times of crisis...
American Red Cross, FranklinCounty Chapter
717-264-6214
Disaster services, blood bank, support for military families
FranklinCountyShelter for the Homeless
717-267-3669
Temporary shelter to homeless individuals and families
Women In Need
717-264-3056/1-800-621-6660
Advocacy and shelter for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence
Serving our youth...
Big Brothers Big Sisters
717-261-0094
Supervised volunteers serve as mentors to children
Boys and Girls Club
717-263-3398
Club programs to support and enhance the development of boys and girls
Boy Scouts of America, Keystone Area Council
717-766-1591
Scouting programs serving Chambersburg, Fannett-Metal, SSVC, St. Thomas schools
Boy Scouts of America, Mason Dixon Council
717-739-1211
Scouting programs serving southern Franklin County and Fulton County area
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
717-264-5020
Scouting programs to support girls as they grow and learn
Waynesboro Day Care
717-263-8508
Day care for ages 2-12 including before and after school
YMCA - Chambersburg
717-263-8508
Programs built on Christian principles promoting healthy spirit, mind and body
YMCA - Waynesboro
717-762-6012
Programs built on Christian principles promoting healthy spirit, mind and body. Also, summer playground programs in southern areas of Franklin County
Serving health concerns...
Keystone Health Center
717-263-4313
United Way funding subsidizes dental services to medically underserved families and behavioral health programs
Lutheran Home Care and Hospice Inc.
717-264-8178
Home health services as well as hospice for the terminally ill
Waynesboro Advanced Life Support/Medic 2
717-762-1283
Advanced life support and pre-hospital emergency care
Serving the concerns of families in our community...
Catholic Charities
717-263-3765
Counseling services by professional therapists
The Crossings Programs
717-261-9833
Programs and home visits to aid parenting teens
Chambersburg Hispanic American Center
717-262-2480
Programs and services for Hispanic families
Frances Leiter Center
717-264-8552
Counseling and therapy services for children and family support services
FranklinCountyLegal Services
717-264-2326
Legal aid on domestic matters, consumer problems, unemployment concerns for low-income persons
MidPen Legal Services
717-264-5534
Legal representation in civil cases to low-income people and domestic violence victims
Waynesboro Area Human Services Council
717-762-3712
Human services for emergencies including assistance with clothing, food, shelter conditions
Waynesboro Welfare Association
717-762-3712
Food, clothing and nursing services for Waynesboro area residents
Serving disabilities...
The ARC of Franklin and Fulton Counties
717-264-4390
Family support and advocacy for persons with mental disabilities
FranklinCounty Therapeutic Riding Center
717-263-9226
Horsemanship for persons with special needs
New Visions
717-264-7350
Services and supervised living for adults with mental illness
Occupational Services Inc.
717-264-7350
Vocational services for the mentally and physically challenged
United Cerebral Palsy of South Central PA
717-261-0931
Early intervention services for babies from birth to age 3 with any physical disability or developmental delay