Kris Ranker serves Westmoreland County’s children and families as a PMSC AmeriCorps member through the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit 7 (WIU7). In Fall of 2022, Kris and the WIU7 established a goal of expanding access to resources for some of Westmoreland’s most vulnerable children and families — those “who have learning difficulties and disabilities.” From there, Ranker leveraged her background in communication and marketing to initiate and coordinate the inaugural “Positive Pathways: Kids Health & Wellness Fair,” held at the Westmoreland Mall on April 29, 2023.
After months of planning, resourcing, and organizing, Ranker and her team engaged over 35 local Community Wellness non-profits, businesses, and governmental organizations and served over 125 families through the one-day outreach event. Ranker reported, “58 adults and children received a free eye exam with approximately 14-20 of those who were encouraged to seek out a full eye exam…All organizations that participated were pleased with the turnout and the opportunity to visit with so many families and children.”
Children used their “health passports” to visit all of the organizations’ booths where they could do everything from receive free teeth cleanings to play health related games–all while their families learned about health and wellness resources available for families across Westmoreland County and beyond. Taking the idea of “getting things done” to the next level, Kris Ranker even engaged other PMSC AmeriCorps members to assist at the fair so that the event could seamlessly serve as many children and families as possible.
Ms. Ranker most definitely succeeded in bringing out the very best of America through the “Positive Pathways” event. And, just like service to others often does, Ranker experienced the natural joy-filled by-product: “to see their smiles and curiosity was touching and made me happy that I was able to help in providing that just by offering a platform for others to be part of.”
As the fair concluded, Kris’s Host Site Supervisor at the WIU7, Denise Lohr, made an announcement to all those gathered in attendance– she said, “We are so grateful for PMSC AmeriCorps member, Kris Ranker. Without her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to service, this event would not have been possible… so many more families are now able to better access critical resources for their families to succeed and thrive.” For a community servant leader like Ms. Ranker, there is simply no higher praise.
For Westmoreland County, for Pennsylvania, and for America– Kris Ranker most certainly gets things done to bring out the very best of each person she encounters.