PIKE UNITED WAY AND 230 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS DECLARE PIKE
COUNTY FIFTH ANNUAL DAY OF CARING A SUCCESS
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Day of Caring Volunteers painting at Survivors'
Resources
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The Fifth Annual Pike County Day of Caring, held on Saturday, September 10, was another inspiring success according
to Pike United Way Co-Chairs Mike Donlon and Christine Obser. Obser explained that this program links community
volunteers to non-profit agencies for a single day to do projects and tasks that enable the non-profits to focus
more of their efforts on their primary mission of helping others.
Donlon reported that volunteers helped 20 agencies complete 23 projects. Projects included painting and repairing
facilities, mulching and marking trails, helping with office work, detailing transport vans, cleaning and landscaping
playgrounds and facilities, assisting Pike United Way to expand the data base for its human services website www.PikePaHelp.org, assisting at the 3rd Annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, creating
reading packets, compiling program folders and helping at fundraisers.
Each volunteer received the traditional Day of Caring t-shirt donated by Citizens Bank. Their workday began with
a delicious breakfast at the Tom Quick Inn, donated by owners Abe Wohl, Carol Hodge, Gary Hodge and Jeanine Hodge
along with Pike United Way supporters Pam and Dick Lutfy. The volunteers then fanned out around Pike County to
perform their tasks.
About half of the volunteers were high school students from throughout Pike County. In addition, participants included
senior citizens, families, solo individuals, and a team of Wal-Mart trainees. In just a single day these amazing
adult and high school volunteers provided over 1,500 hours of unpaid labor, at an equivalent dollar value of over
$25,000. They received heartfelt thanks from Pike United Way and the recipients of their hard work and community
spirit.
Donlon and Obser announced that the Sixth Annual Day of Caring would be Saturday, September
9th, 2006 as Pike United Way continues "Offering
Hope, Building Futures". If you would like to volunteer now please visit www.PikePaHelp.org for a listing of volunteer opportunities or call Pike United Way at 570-296-9980
or toll free: 888-306-6963. |
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American Red Cross Presents Certificates of Appreciation
for 9-11 Memorial Blood Drive Success
At the most recent meeting of the United Way of Pike
County Board of Directors, the American Red Cross presented Certificates of Appreciation to the representatives
of local organizations who made the 3RD Annual 9-11 Memorial Blood Drive a record setting event. Dawn Ciorciari,
a Field Representative with American Red Cross Blood Services, said, "This was the most successful blood drive
to date in Pike County's history, collecting one hundred and thirty useable pints of blood. The three 9/11 Memorial
Blood Drives combined have collected 288 pints which has helped over 1,000 hospital patients." Ciorciari continued,
"The people of Pike County should feel very proud to have been part of such an outstanding effort - helping
so many people."
The success of this year's drive can be attributed to the continued collaboration of local organizations and their
publicity efforts: Pike United Way, Pike County Commissioners, Delaware Valley School District, Pike County Chamber
of Commerce and Pike County Public Library. However, Dawn also recognized the participation and support of the
Westfall McDonald's who supplied coffee and accompaniments for the blood donors, Jorgenson's Deli in Milford for
assisting with the volunteers' lunch, the Day of Caring Volunteers including Delaware Valley Health Occupations
Student Association members, the Delaware Valley Vo-tech Food Services students who baked twelve dozen cookies
for the refreshment canteen, Price Chopper in Matamoras who supplied canteen supplies and the Milford Diner who
helped advertise the event. Accepting the American Red Cross Certificates of Appreciation, at the meeting, were
Blood Drive Co-Chairs Pike County Commissioners Richard Caridi and Karl A. Wagner, Michael Peifer, President United
Way of Pike County and Stacey Beecher Chelak, United Way Board Member, Dr. Candis Finan, Superintendent of Delaware
Valley School District, Ellen Schaffner, Assistant Director of the Pike County Library and Dave Wilson, Director
of Pike County Chamber of Commerce. Ciorciari also said, "I want to thank the other co-chair of the 9-11 Memorial
Blood Drive, Commissioner Harry Forbes", who was unable to attend the meeting.
For information about American Red Cross Blood Services call 1-800-GIVE LIFE. For information about all Pike United
Way's community initiatives call (570) 296-9980 or visit www.unitedwaypike.org.
For information about any Pike human service please visit www.PikePaHelp.org.
Donations to Pike United Way stay, right here, in Pike County. Offering Hope - Building Futures - The United Way!
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Pictured from left. Sitting: Commissioner Rich Caridi; Dawn
Ciorcari, American Red Cross; Commissioner Karl Wagner; Pat Dolge, Pike United Way,
Middle Row: Pike United Way: Frank Redington, Sue Robbins, Lew Gubrud, Stacey Beecher Chelak; Dr. Candis Finan,
Delaware Valley School District; Ellen Schaffner, Pike County Public Library; Pike United Way: Celeste O'Neil,
Alan Dolge, Michael Peifer
Back Row: Pike United Way: Bob Veneziale, Ravenell Williams; Dave Wilson Pike County Chamber; Pike United Way:
John Drake, Mark Kirsten and Craig Ehrhardt. |
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Special Thanks also to...
the Tom Quick Inn, Pam and Dick
Lutfy, Citizens Bank, Pike County Commissioners, Pike County Library, Delaware Valley Schools, McDonald's (Westfall),
Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Price Chopper (Matamoras), the Milford Diner, Jorgenson's Deli and Blue Ridge
Cable for their generous support!
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