The United Way of Adams County celebrated the community’s many volunteers during its annual With Heart in Hand Awards Ceremony on April 24 at Gettysburg College.
“It’s awe-inspiring to see the extent and breadth of volunteerism in Adams County and the amount of good that is done in our community,” Mike Jackman, United Way board chair, said.
Adams County Commissioner Jim Martin noted the organization is close to completing its annual fundraising campaign. To date, donors have given $155, 859.20 towards the $175,000 goal.
Money makes the United Way’s work possible, but so do people. The evening’s main focus was thanking the organization’s many volunteers who carry out the United Way mission in all corners of Adams County.
United Way also recognized outgoing board members Joe Lynch, Bill Gilmartin, and Jackman.
Give awards
The first honoree was the community hospital, WellSpan Health. WellSpan employees have donated $17.635 to United Way. They have also given many hours of time by volunteering at the Bag the Bounty Food Drive, Day of Caring, and Women’s Purse Auction. For their work, United Way presented WellSpan with its annual Spirit Award.
The organization’s annual Robert C. Hoffman Award was presented to ACNB Bank for raising $44,068 through 249 employees. The award is in memory of an Adams County fruit broker who donated heavily to the community.
Advocate Awards
United Way Ready to Learn Coordinator Diana Fasnacht presented Amanda Staub with the Education Award. Fasnacht noted the counselor at Gettysburg Area School District’s Lincoln Elementary School is always going the extra mile for students in need.
“She sees a need and she sees a clear vision that it will benefit children,” Fasnacht said. “We all know counselors who get the job done but I can assure you that Amanda, without a doubt, goes beyond each and every task every day.”
Kim Shank, United Way board member, presented the Health Award to LaDonna Redding. Redding served as a hospital greeter and wayfinder. She also assists with wheelchair transports, trains new volunteers, and assisted with COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Redding has logged 22,080 volunteer hours in 15 years, Shank said.
Jackman honored another Advocate, R.C. Miessler, by presenting the Financial Stability Award. Jackman noted Miessler is his right-hand in the organization’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which prepares returns for low-income residents.
“R.C. Miessler has taken several exams and is a subject matter expert,” Jackman said.
Volunteer Awards
Gettysburg Times Publisher Harry Hartman presented the evening’s highest honors, the volunteer awards. The Biglerville High School Hire Us program consists of 28 students from the school’s transition and autistic support classrooms who volunteered at the Gettysburg College Dining Services. Six of those students transitioned into paid jobs at the college. For their work, United Way honored Hire Us with its Youth Group Award.
Beautiful flowers will soon line the streets of the Borough of Gettysburg. Gettysburg Garden Club volunteers plant those flowers, maintain the beds, and raise money for their constant care. Garden Club volunteers accepted the United Way’s Adult Group Award for their work.
Cindy Small’s bright smile is known to many organizations but her passion is ensuring children have a reason to smile as much as she does. Small’s dedication to the Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center made her the perfect fit for the United Way’s Adult Volunteer Award. Small, a retired public relations professional, uses her skills to spread the word about the center’s work. She also volunteers wherever else she is needed.
Jennie Dillon is another adult volunteer who is well-known in the Gettysburg community. Dillon is passionate about promoting downtown Gettysburg and serves as president of the Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association. She also serves on the Adams County Arts Council Board of Directors and is an advocate for the LGBTQ community. Dillon is also the secretary for the Borough of Gettysburg’s Human Relations Council.
Another adult who cares deeply is Randy McDonnell. He gave 624 hours to the Gettysburg Soup Kitchen in 2022 and supported the organization financially. He also visits former soup kitchen guests who now live in nursing homes.
Megan Cellucci’s work with Collaborating for Youth earned her the United Way mentor award.
“Megan’s direct mentoring and involvement with teens has led to personal relationships that take a difference in the present lives of youth as well as their future likelihood to be engaged with community volunteerism,” Collaborating for Youth Executive Director Andrea Dolges wrote about Cellucci.
Lt. Col. Robert Bates is long remembered for his tireless work with the United Way. Bates died in 2015, but volunteers such as Dr. Walton C. Jones carry on the tradition of service. The retired educator received the Outstanding Senior Award named in memory of Bates for his work with the Senior Self Improvement Award program, which recognizes students who make drastic changes between their freshman and senior years of high school.
Eric Bergdale is another outstanding senior who recently stepped back from his work with the Gettysburg-Adams Kiwanis Club. The 40-year volunteer could always be counted on for any club activity. For many years, he chaired the annual rose sale and coordinated Kiwanis participation in Farm City Days.
The ARC of Adams County Jo Smith Leading by Example Award remembers another dedicated volunteer. The former executive director of the Arc of Adams County died in 2019. Typical Life Corporation is keeping her volunteer spirit alive by delivering food to seniors through the Meals on Wheels program.
Give it Up for Good Sale
The United Way of Adams County needs many volunteers, especially during its annual Give it Up for Good Sale at Gettysburg College on May 27. The sale is a massive reuse campaign that benefits the United Way’s Community Impact Fund. Students donate reusable items as they move out in May and everything is sold for below-thrift-store prices to benefit the United Way.
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.