WE CARE BAGS
September 2023, the chapter began an ambitious community service project – We Care Bags. This project helps children in families who deal with a devastating situation (loss of possessions due to any unfortunate event, sudden change in living conditions, etc.) by providing them with backpacks filled with personal and comfort care items.
Six school districts in Bedford County (Bedford Area, Chestnut Ridge, Claysburg Kimmel, Everett Area, Northern Bedford, and Tussey Mountain) and the Greater Johnstown School District in Cambria County are participating in the project. District superintendents selected a staff member to coordinate the distribution of the backpacks; chapter members volunteered to deliver the backpacks to each district. Each district received six backpacks, two each for elementary, middle, and high school students. A work session was held on September 18 and members filled 42 bags! Districts can request more bags as needed.
Six school districts in Bedford County (Bedford Area, Chestnut Ridge, Claysburg Kimmel, Everett Area, Northern Bedford, and Tussey Mountain) and the Greater Johnstown School District in Cambria County are participating in the project. District superintendents selected a staff member to coordinate the distribution of the backpacks; chapter members volunteered to deliver the backpacks to each district. Each district received six backpacks, two each for elementary, middle, and high school students. A work session was held on September 18 and members filled 42 bags! Districts can request more bags as needed.
Four more we care bags were delivered to Johnstown Elementary on January 26, 2024 bringing the total number of bags given to school districts to 46! The impact of these backpacks filled with personal care items is making a huge difference to children and families.
EASTER FOR ELI
Eli was a three-year-old who lost his battle with Non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoma in 2009. In his memory, the "Easter for Eli" Foundation was formed. This foundation coordinates the creation and distribution of Easter baskets to children hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses, and other families in need, along with gift cards for fuel, travel expenses, and online purchases during hospital stays.
Since 2023, members of Alpha Beta and Beta Epsilon have worked together to build baskets for this project. In 2024, 18 baskets were created for the projects with items donated by members of both chapters. Donations of various gift cards were also donated by chapter members. To date, this joint effort has made 32 baskets for the Easter for Eli project.
Since 2023, members of Alpha Beta and Beta Epsilon have worked together to build baskets for this project. In 2024, 18 baskets were created for the projects with items donated by members of both chapters. Donations of various gift cards were also donated by chapter members. To date, this joint effort has made 32 baskets for the Easter for Eli project.
STEM WORK WITH THE GIRL SCOUTS
2021-2023 DKG PA State Organization President, Eileen Little, has a passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) and has encouraged chapters to pursue projects related to to STEM and STEAM. Alpha Beta is committed to helping the scouts in the Roaring Spring Girl Scout Troop 43009 (under the direction of Kris Walters (pictured far right) earn badges in STEM through STEM-related work sessions.
Session #1 was held on February 27, 2022, when nine scouts participated in a presentation on the Women of STEM. The presentation, done by chapter president, Becky Johnen, reviewed why STEM is important for women, looked at the qualities of STEM pioneers (like bravery, visionaries, wouldn't take "no" or "girls don't do that" for answers), met the trailblazer for science, the medical field, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and discussed the accomplishments of 17 women of science, two women in the medical fields, seven women of technology, four women of engineering, and three women of mathematics. The presentation ended with the girls discussing what courses to take in school if interested in pursuing a STEM field and picturing themselves as digital imaging specialists, digital artists, EMTs, vet techs, computer scientists, engineers, medical doctors, mathematicians, and forensic scientists.
Session #1 was held on February 27, 2022, when nine scouts participated in a presentation on the Women of STEM. The presentation, done by chapter president, Becky Johnen, reviewed why STEM is important for women, looked at the qualities of STEM pioneers (like bravery, visionaries, wouldn't take "no" or "girls don't do that" for answers), met the trailblazer for science, the medical field, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and discussed the accomplishments of 17 women of science, two women in the medical fields, seven women of technology, four women of engineering, and three women of mathematics. The presentation ended with the girls discussing what courses to take in school if interested in pursuing a STEM field and picturing themselves as digital imaging specialists, digital artists, EMTs, vet techs, computer scientists, engineers, medical doctors, mathematicians, and forensic scientists.
Session #2 was held on March 20, 2022 and 10 scouts visited stations where they worked with a green screen, created movies with Stikbots, created jewelry using binary codes, and participated in a Spaghetti Challenge. For the Challenge, teams had to create the tallest free-standing structure topped off with a marshmallow using only 20 sticks of spaghetti, a foot of masking tape, a foot of string, and their ingenuity. Team work, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and logic helped each team complete the challenge successfully. The tallest structure built was 18".
EACH ONE, REACH ONE
Recognizing that classroom teachers and administrators were facing extra challenges during the pandemic, Alpha Beta conducted a project called Each One, Reach One which was initiated by the Fellowship Connection Committee. From September 2020 through March 2021, members retired from the field anonymously sent notes, cards, and small gifts to uplift, encourage, and support our members still actively teaching or serving as school administrators.
Members serving as “caring DKG sisters” were Royce Boyd,
Pat Brenner, Linda Clapper, Wanda Clark, Judy Conrad, Linda Fisher, Carol Fritz, Arlene Fuller, Kristen Hall, Pat Harrison, Becky Johnen, Linda McElroy, Joan McGreevey,
Melissa Moorhead, Lois Stoner, and Patty Valentine.
Members serving as “caring DKG sisters” were Royce Boyd,
Pat Brenner, Linda Clapper, Wanda Clark, Judy Conrad, Linda Fisher, Carol Fritz, Arlene Fuller, Kristen Hall, Pat Harrison, Becky Johnen, Linda McElroy, Joan McGreevey,
Melissa Moorhead, Lois Stoner, and Patty Valentine.
Stuff the bus with school supplies
Working in partnership with Bedford County Children and Youth (BCCaY), the Chapter collected school supplies and filled 45 backpacks at its August 9, 2022 meeting. (BCCaY provided the backpacks.) Enough supplies were gathered that extra supply bags were made and delivered to six school districts: Bedford Area, Chestnut Ridge, Claysburg Kimmel, Everett Area, Forbes Road, and Tussey Mountain.
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OPERATION TOASTY TOOTSIES
On October 28, 2020, after delivering fleece blankets to Stan Howes, a representative of Bedford County Children and Youth Services, Projects Co-Chair Linda Clapper asked him if there was anything else that the children and teens in Bedford County needed. He replied, “Socks! Operation Toasty Tootsies was launched to respond to this need. Projects Committee co-chair Beverly Brumbaugh made a large stocking for collecting the socks. At the annual Christmas Tea, held on December 5, the stocking overflowed with socks, socks, and more socks donated by Chapter members. So many socks were collected that not only were they provided to Bedford County Children and Youth Services, but 86 pairs were also given to Everett Middle School’s WeCare Room.
In December 2022, this project was repeated with the addition of also collecting mittens and gloves. Members went above and beyond with their donations so much so that two bags of items were also given to the WeCare Closet at Everett Area Middle School. In December 2023 the chapter collected 68 pairs of slippers for the agency.
In December 2022, this project was repeated with the addition of also collecting mittens and gloves. Members went above and beyond with their donations so much so that two bags of items were also given to the WeCare Closet at Everett Area Middle School. In December 2023 the chapter collected 68 pairs of slippers for the agency.
FLEECE BLANKETS FOR SEVERAL LOCAL AGENCIES
The Projects Committee's community service project of making fleece blankets which began in October 2019 continues for 2022-2023. Members and Girl Scouts from the Roaring Spring Girl Scout Troop 43009 are busy creating "more warmth" for those receiving services through Your Safe Haven, Inc., Bedford County Children and Youth Services, Rebecca's Personal Care Home (Everett), Arbutus Park Manor (Johnstown), and U.S. Renal Care (Everett). To date, a total of 98 blankets have been distributed to these five agencies.
Your Safe Haven, Inc. (YSH) is Bedford County’s crime victim center and is dedicated to assisting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing comprehensive services from counseling through navigating the court system and everything in between. YSH provides direct services to approximately 1,400-1,500 adults and children each year. To date, 25 blankets have been given to YSH.
The partnership with the Girl Scouts and Your Safe Haven was highlighted in a segment aired on WTAJ TV (a CBS affiliate out of Altoona) on February 4, 2020. Filming for the segment, done by Colleen Knudsen, a reporter from WTAJ, took place at the Troop's meeting on February 3, 2020. Eight Chapter members joined the Girl Scouts at their weekly meeting to knot the blankets (see pictures below). Sixteen blankets were completed during that meeting.
Your Safe Haven, Inc. (YSH) is Bedford County’s crime victim center and is dedicated to assisting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing comprehensive services from counseling through navigating the court system and everything in between. YSH provides direct services to approximately 1,400-1,500 adults and children each year. To date, 25 blankets have been given to YSH.
The partnership with the Girl Scouts and Your Safe Haven was highlighted in a segment aired on WTAJ TV (a CBS affiliate out of Altoona) on February 4, 2020. Filming for the segment, done by Colleen Knudsen, a reporter from WTAJ, took place at the Troop's meeting on February 3, 2020. Eight Chapter members joined the Girl Scouts at their weekly meeting to knot the blankets (see pictures below). Sixteen blankets were completed during that meeting.
The Bedford County Children and Youth Services is an agency that provides services to protect children and assures their physical and emotional well-being as provided by law, and provides services to preserve, strengthen, and empower their families. To date, 39 blankets have been given to Bedford County Children and Youth Services.
Spring 2021 saw the chapter expand the distribution of blankets to residents of local personal care homes. To date, nine blankets have been given to Rebecca's Personal Care Home in Everett and two to Arbutus Park Manor in Johnstown. During the Winter of 2022, another site, U.S. Renal Care (in Everett), was added to list of agencies receiving blankets. To date, nine blankets have been donated there.
WEEKEND BACKPACK PROJECT SUPPORTS FIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS
and the cambria county backpack project
A community service project aimed to provide food to children who are considered “food insecure” has been undertaken by Alpha Beta. The Bedford Area, Chestnut Ridge, Claysburg Kimmel, Everett Area, and Tussey Mountain school districts along with the Cambria County Backpack Project housed at the learning Lamp in Johnstown all have programs designed to provide food to children who are “food insecure” by sending home a sufficient amount of food to allow for breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals over the weekend when food may not be readily available. For the food collections, held twice a year since 2020, members gather items on lists provided by each district, items such as individual cereal packs, individual macaroni and cheese bowls, ramen noodles, individual fruit cups, packets of cheese crackers, and prepackaged microwaveable items that children can make independently. The goal of the districts’ Weekend Backpack Programs is to provide food items which students can readily eat with very little preparation.
In the fall of 2023, the chapter partnered with Live Well Chiropractic (LWC) for the collection of food. A collection bin was placed in the lobby of the business (for both the fall and spring collections) and community members were very supportive with their donations. Between chapter member donations and those from the community, over 3,600 items were collected in 2023-24 with 25% coming from LWC!
In the fall of 2023, the chapter partnered with Live Well Chiropractic (LWC) for the collection of food. A collection bin was placed in the lobby of the business (for both the fall and spring collections) and community members were very supportive with their donations. Between chapter member donations and those from the community, over 3,600 items were collected in 2023-24 with 25% coming from LWC!
PARTNERING WITH BEDFORD COUNTY CYS TO SUPPORT
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Bedford County's Children and Youth Services Program protects children and assures their physical and emotional well-being as provided by law. To meet its mission, the program has many needs. In May 2021, the Alpha Beta chapter began collecting and donating personal care items for the program and in August 2021, the chapter launched its "stuff the bus" school supply drive collecting enough supplies to fill 37 backpacks! (Extra supplies were distributed to the school districts of Bedford Area, Claysburg Kimmel, Chestnut Ridge, Everett Area, Forbes Road, and Tussey Mountain.) In August 2022, 45 backpacks were filled and extra supplies were once again distributed to local school districts. December 2021 saw the chapter collect 38 hoodies to help "warm the hearts" of some the children being served by the program.
Gifts for Beginning Educators
During Candace Claar’s presidential biennium (2016-2018) one of the Chapter’s projects was Gifts For Beginning Educators. Three times a year, teachers new to the districts represented by chapter membership were given gifts with inspirational messages. Current president Kris Walters (2018-2020) continues this effort as one of her projects. In the 2018-19 school year the project for beginning educators took on large proportions as we learned that there were quite a few new hires in school districts that year. The numbers were as follows: Everett-6, Bedford-2, Chestnut Ridge-6, Spring Cove-8, Tussey Mountain-2, and Claysburg-5.
The “back-to-school” gifts consisted of mugs (some complements of member donations and some made by Melissa Flynn) stuffed with a $5 Sheetz gift card (complements of our generous members) and our tri-fold chapter brochure (complements of Becky Johnen and the Executive Board). Some of the sentiments on the mugs were; “I’m a Teacher, What’s Your Super Power?” and “A Great Teacher Changes the World.”
Gifts were also be distributed mid-school year in January and at the end of the school year in May.
For the 2019-2020 school year, the beginning teachers project continued but with a different twist. Chapter members each "adopted" one of the new teachers and on a monthly basis, will be sending cards and notes with inspirational messages. Labels, made by Candace Claar, with a special chapter message will be placed on each card.
For the 2020-2022 biennium, the focus on early career educators switches to providing enrichment grants for classroom needs.
The “back-to-school” gifts consisted of mugs (some complements of member donations and some made by Melissa Flynn) stuffed with a $5 Sheetz gift card (complements of our generous members) and our tri-fold chapter brochure (complements of Becky Johnen and the Executive Board). Some of the sentiments on the mugs were; “I’m a Teacher, What’s Your Super Power?” and “A Great Teacher Changes the World.”
Gifts were also be distributed mid-school year in January and at the end of the school year in May.
For the 2019-2020 school year, the beginning teachers project continued but with a different twist. Chapter members each "adopted" one of the new teachers and on a monthly basis, will be sending cards and notes with inspirational messages. Labels, made by Candace Claar, with a special chapter message will be placed on each card.
For the 2020-2022 biennium, the focus on early career educators switches to providing enrichment grants for classroom needs.
Jabulani School
Due to the generosity of the Delta Kappa Gamma organization and its members, the goal of reaching $30,000 to complete the construction of the Jabulani Secondary building has been reached. In 2015, at the conception of this dream, the need for that amount of funding seemed impossible. Yet, by working together that goal has been reached. The pictures show how funding has been used to create a foundation, walls, roof, windows, stucco finish, and paint for the building.
The children from this impoverished area depend on the school for a nutritious meal each day. In order to provide this meal for one month for each of the 130 students, $80 is needed. Since 2020, the chapter has conducted two internal "create change with pocket change" fund drives each year to support that basic need for the students. Filling 'rainy day bags' with their pocket change, to date, members have raised over $4,400. A hope expressed by the principal is to purchase at least one laptop computer so that the students can be instructed in using technology. This is seen as an important step so that the students can see beyond their village and be part of the global community. It is another worthy goal. In Zulu, Jabulani means “happiness” or “joy.” Receiving an education is truly a joy for these students! |