Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps launched its 29th year of service on August 18, 2023, addressing critical needs across the Southwest and Southcentral region of PA. 44 PMSC members are already getting things done in PA schools, wellness non-profits, and environmental agencies to make a difference for the students, families, land, and waterways. Not only do members serve their local communities on a daily basis, but they also come together to bring out the best of America on service days like 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. And, they come from across the region to support each other’s special projects and events–encouraging one another and lifting up the people and places that make the area so unique.
Currently, PMSC members are serving 23 area schools, 9 environmental agencies, and 3 wellness non-profits. As the year continues, more members will engage across the region to increase impact on an even greater scale. Education member Lee Ann Krumenacker, Central Cambria School District- Jackson Elementary, is passionate about, “working with students in small literacy and intervention groups to promote healthy educational skills through literacy and outreach programs.” Parker Grigg, Spring Cove School District, Martinsburg Elementary, report that he is excited to dedicate his, “time and energy to uplift communities, and [witness] firsthand the power of service in creating positive change.” Zach Zelazny, returning Environmental Stewardship member, Western PA Conservancy-Bear Run, is already building upon his previous term’s projects when he, “hiked the trails and bucked up fallen trees, pulled invasive plants, fixed bridges and walkways.” Leading volunteer workdays on the beautiful preserve, Zack is growing his skills in that arena as well. Community Wellness member, Emily Beam, UPMC Altoona Family Physicians, is already in the community serving to bridge the access-to-resources gap that plagues the region by assisting with the “Food Farmacy” program– “distributing the food to patients,” and doing the heavy lifting of coordinating volunteers, packing food bags, assisting with transportation to access nourishing foods, and assisting with cooking demos to help community residents know how to best utilize fresh produce.
Additionally, 22 PMSC AmeriCorps members came together over the weekend of September 9-11, 2023, to assist the Friends of Flight 93 and the Flight 93 National Memorial in the Heroes’ Walk and the 9/11 National Service of Remembrance. Members participated in the National Day of Service by providing golf-cart transportation for guests who would have otherwise been unable to access the events, serving as parking attendants, and as greeters to help ensure a safe and welcoming environment for these special remembrance events. Donna Gibson, Friends of Flight 93 Executive Director, explained what a profound impact PMSC members made on the events: “What an outstanding crew. I appreciate each of you and your demonstrated excellence throughout our weekend activities.” PMSC has been providing support for first responders, families of the heroes, and for leadership teams of the remembrance events since 2001 in the days following the crash of Flight 93.
Investing in their own individual communities and in regional service events, PMSC members are unsatisfied to stop there– they also see the value in supporting the work of other PMSC AmeriCorps members. Keith Terney serves as an Environmental Stewardship member with the Mountain Watershed Association. Terney assisted in leading the Indian Creek Watershed Festival on September 23, 2023, and several other members dedicated their time off from their own host sites to support MWA’s event designed to promote water conservation, stewardship, youth and children environmental education, and recreation. Blake Mauthe serves the Indiana County Conservation District on a full-time basis, but said he came out to support Keith and the MWA team because he was, “super excited to come out and help, not only to provide a fun activity to the local youth, but also I just love sharing my knowledge and teaching kids about the world around them.”
“Passionate changemakers” hardly begins to describe the PMSC AmeriCorps team that is on the ground and moving already for 2023-2024. As the team increases in knowledge, experience, and numbers throughout the year, they will continue to make lasting, positive impact on the 14-county region of Southwest and South Central, PA. Taking time to invest in the precious children, families, land, and waterways under their care, PMSC AmeriCorps members will keep on getting things done without much fanfare or accolades–just a desire to make a real difference and a willing heart to impact lives and communities.
YOU can serve, too. Visit pmsc.org/current-positions to see the opportunities available for an October 2023 start.
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