Western Pennsylvania Game Changers with Chris Hoke

This month, co-hosts Chris and Lisa are joined by special guests, Reverend Karie Ann Charlton of the Third Presbyterian Church in Shadyside, and her friend, Carrie Powell. Pastor Karie leads the Pittsburgh Chapter of Days for Girls International, a charitable organization that provides feminine hygiene kits and health education to women and girls who desperately need them. Pastor Karie explains the difficult situations faced by women and girls around the world and how education and hygiene kits can make a huge difference in their lives. She and Carrie Powell, a regular volunteer with Days for Girls, also share how much they love volunteering with Days for Girls and give us a glimpse into the camaraderie and friendship that exists among volunteers. Volunteer opportunities exist for both women and men, and sewing skills, while useful, are not required. Please consider volunteering at Days for Girls, it could be exactly what you need in your life!
For more information about volunteering at Days for Girls and a host of other organizations, visit https://www.justserve.org/ (type in your zip code to find service opportunities near you).

Join co-hosts Chris, Lisa and Tim as they are joined by this month's special guest, Meghan Anderson, Executive Director of Gallagher Hospice. First, Tim shares recent volunteer experiences with the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and discusses its great need for volunteers in disaster-relief situations (they happen much more often that you might think). Then Meghan discusses the profoundly uplifting and important work Gallagher Hospice does for people with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones. Meghan also discusses the important role that volunteers play at Gallagher Hospice. If you are looking to provide comfort and relief to individuals and families who are facing end of life situations, volunteering at a hospice center, such as Gallagher Hospice, could be a perfect fit for you!
For more information about any of the projects discussed in this episode, go to https://www.justserve.org/ (type in your zip code to find service opportunities near you), http://gallagherhospice.com/, https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/greater-pennsylvania/about-us/locations/southwestern-pennsylvania.html.

Join co-hosts Chris, Chelsea, Lisa, Tim as they share recent volunteer experiences - Chelsea, with NurturePA; Lisa, with Days for Girls; and Tim, while on deployment to Louisiana as part of a Disaster Medical Assistance Team. This month, they are joined by Kate Eberle Cotter, Reach and Rise Youth Mentoring Coordinator with the Butler County Family YMCA. Reach and Rise is a group mentoring program that helps empower youth ages 8-15 in overcoming challenges that are prevalent in today’s society, such as low self-esteem, unsatisfactory academic progress, peer difficulties, and poor decision-making skills. The program has been operating successfully in Butler for a while, and is coming to Cranberry Township. They are looking for mentoring volunteers. You could be just the person they need!
For more information about any of the projects discussed in this episode, go to https://www.justserve.org/ (type in your zip code to find service opportunities near you), https://bcfymca.org/youth-mentoring, http://nurturepa.org/, https://www.daysforgirls.org/.

Join co-hosts Chris Hoke, Chelsea Hermond, Lisa Mitchell and Tim Campbell as they share recent service experiences and get to know this month's special guest, Jim Guffey, Executive Director of South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM). As Jim explains, when we think of people in need, we often think of urban areas and overlook the many families and individuals who live in the suburbs who are struggling to get by. SHIM focuses on serving the needy of Pittsburgh's southern suburban neighborhoods by providing them with food, clothing, and a host of other vital services. Jim's passion for SHIM and its work is infectious and volunteer opportunities abound! Please consider giving them a hand!
In this episode, we also discuss the American Red Cross, Gallagher Hospice and Days for Girls.
For more information, go to https://www.justserve.org/ (type in your zip code to find service opportunities near you), https://shimcares.org/, https://www.daysforgirls.org/, https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/greater-pennsylvania/about-us/locations/southwestern-pennsylvania.html, http://gallagherhospice.com/support-us/hospice-volunteer/

Please join us for this special episode, in which we award our 2020 Super Volunteer of the Year Award to Roberta Sciulli! A retired nurse and hospital administrator, Roberta is a powerful force for good in her home-town community of Ambridge, Pennsylvania! Here are just a few of her service highlights:

• She leads a group called the “Committee to Clean and Beautify Ambridge,” which is “determined to clean and beautify the lovely town of Ambridge.” The group was founded by one her brothers during a time when Ambridge’s “street sweeper” broke – rather than watch the trash pile up, the group decided to do something about it. In addition to regularly hosting clean up events, they plant trees, install and maintain flower beds, and even refurbished a war memorial that had gone into serious disrepair. All things local (ambridgeconnection.com); (4) Committee to Clean and Beautify Ambridge (CCBA) | Facebook
• She is on the board of the Ambridge Historic District Economic Development Corporation. (4) Ambridge Historic District EDC | Facebook.
• She has a son who was injured by an IED while serving overseas with the U.S. Army as an 18-Delta, Special Forces, combat medic. He received an outpouring of love and support during recovery and when he returned home. As a way to give back, she and her family formed a company called Patriot Provisions that sells beef jerky and other snacks, with all proceeds going to the Special Forces Foundation. Patriot Provisions Gives Back
• She is very active in her church, where she regularly participates in church bake sale fundraising events, and has been instrumental in developing her parish's youth program.

Listen in as Roberta shares her thoughts on service and explains why it is such an important part of her life. (Be sure to keep listening after the closing music ends -- there's a "bonus feature" of sorts, as you can hear Roberta answer the door to receive a surprise gift!)
Don't let Roberta have all the fun! There are a ton of organizations that can use your unique skills and abilities to help them fulfill their missions. To find out more, go to https://www.justserve.org/ (type in your zip code to find service opportunities near you)!