Big Brothers Big Sisters
Volunteers sought for Fayette County program BROWNSVILLE – Volunteers able to spare an hour a week are being sought for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Fayette County.
Rachel Krasnevich, school-based mentoring coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region, was the guest speaker Tuesday at the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Every child needs a mentor; that’s how we see it,” Krasnevich said.
The program offers both community-based and school-based volunteer opportunities.
Krasnevich said the community-based program is the traditional program in which an adult is paired with a child, meeting several times a month. With the school lunch buddy program, an adult is paired with a specific child at a local school, spending one lunch hour a week with that child. The program is currently in place in the Brownsville, Uniontown and Connellsville school districts in Fayette County.
“We’re actively recruiting both for our community-based program and our school-based program,” Krasnevich said.
Adults interested in participating in the mentoring programs may contact Krasnevich at 724-439-8055, or view the organization’s website, www.bbbslr.org, for more information.
In other matters, Ray Koffler reported that this year’s collectible Christmas ornament would feature the old Brownsville Hospital and School of Nursing on the North Side. The design was inspired by a woman who graduated from the nursing school and recently raised money for a plaque recognizing the former nursing program. Since the Brownsville General Hospital is now closed, the plaque will be placed at the Flatiron Building Heritage Center.
“From the plaque we got the design for the Christmas bulb,” Koffler said.
The back of the bulb features the Florence Nightingale pledge for nurses.
Jack Moores, president of the Brownsville chapter of the Izaak Walton League (IWL), reported that he and Koffler recently attended the national IWL convention and came home with a grant for the environmental education program at the park.
“We requested a $6,000 grant, but because money is tight, they gave us $5,000,” Moores said.
Moores said the local IWL is still working on getting an aerator for the lake at Patsy Hillman Park.
Dave Polvinale reported that additional signs would be posted at the park notifying the public that video surveillance is in use. The park board is trying to reduce vandalism at the park.
Mayor Lester Ward thanked area service organizations for their help in organizing and preparing for last weekend’s community festival.
“It was truly a town effort,” Ward said. “We’re trying to do some more things to promote togetherness. We know there were some things we did well and some things we can improve.”
Councilman Charlie Perkins said he and Ward would soon be visiting each of the businesses in the community.
“Council is there for you. If there’s anything we can do for you, let us know,” Perkins said.