Author: WCBA

Harrisburg Day on the Hill

The Westmoreland County Blind Association was invited to attend an event in Harrisburg earlier this week called “Day on the Hill”. The event was sponsored by UniqueSource. The purpose of the trip was to allow our consumers an opportunity to thank our state representatives and senators for helping to support “My Work, My Choice”.

We attended a dinner on Monday, October 16th at the West Shore Country Club, followed by a day of scheduled meetings with various congressmen on Tuesday, October 17th. During each visit, our consumers and past UniqueSource Employee Award Winners, Michael Kissell and David Marks, met with these congressmen and expressed their appreciation for their recent support. They also provided each congressman with a gift of a “My Work, My Choice” picture, shirt and hat. Additional WCBA staff who participated in the trip included Tim Miller (Executive Director), Amy Matenkosky (Executive Assistant), Karen Booley (Production Manager), and Greg Millar who assisted with our transportation.

Click on the image below or visit our Day on the Hill Photo Album to see photos of the trip.

Tips To Protect Your Vision

As Spring arrives in western Pennsylvania, we are called to the outdoors. We rediscover what has been hidden by snow and lay dormant during the winter months. The nice weather is our inspiration to collect branches or leaves that have accumulated in the corners of the yard; stain the deck in time for grilling season or break out the bicycle.

The Westmoreland County Blind Association wants you to enjoy the season, and most importantly be safe and prevent eye damage. Please consider these tips to protect your vision in the coming months:

  • Wear sunglasses outside when the sun shines. Look for lenses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays.
  • View fireworks from at least 500 feet away. Never let children play with fireworks.
  • Wear safety glasses when doing work that may produce chips, dust or flying particles. When working with chemicals, choose goggles that fit snugly against your face and secure with a strap.
  • Thoroughly wash your hands before touching the eye.
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Foods rich in antioxidants, lutein, Vitamins C and E are good for eye health.
  • If you know something has scratched your eye, seek treatment from your doctor/emergency room for your eye injury.

My Work My Choice – Thank You

To all of those involved with the “My Work My Choice” campaign: We want to thank everyone–government representatives, workshop representatives & staffing, parents, families, friends and especially the special needs individuals for all of the hard work that went into going to Harrisburg and keeping our sheltered workshop programs going. We could not be more proud of the people involved from across all of Pennsylvania who supported this cause for those who needed their voices to be heard! People listened and changes are being made!

Thanks To The Mt. Pleasant Lions Club

WCBA would like to give a big thank you to the Mt. Pleasant Lions Club for a $3,500 donation to be used for our kitchen renovations. They also gave us a $100 donation for Beacon Lodge (special needs summer camp) travel expenses.

The Melvin Jones award was presented to Ray Shick by District 14-E Governor Sam Snively.

We are grateful for the Lions’ Clubs continued generosity.

Lions Club Donation

Thanks to the Trafford Lions Club and Penn-Trafford Leos Club for coordinating last night’s Dinner in the Dark event. The event was hosted in the WCBA’s Community Room here in Greensburg. Sighted participants were blindfolded and taught how to eat a prepared dinner and fold paper airplanes. Penn-Trafford presented a check donation of $1,210 WCBA’s Executive Director, Tim Miller.

There were approximately 60 people in attendance. The whole event was put together by the young members of the Trafford Lions Clubs which is commonly referred to as Link-N-Leos.  It was a unique and humbling event that gave participants a chance to experience everyday living activities through the eyes of someone with visual disabilities.

 

RALLY & Hearing Information

As you know, the Rally will be on March 13th at 10:30 a.m. There is going to be a hearing at 11:30 a.m. as well. The location of the Rally is the East Wing Rotunda, Main Capital Harrisburg.

We are anticipating approximately 750 – 1,000 to attend. Many individuals will be wearing white hats and red shirts with the “My Work, My Choice” logo.

It is recommended that you utilize the rear entrance to the Capital (East side) near the fountain. This is the closest entrance to the Rally and Hearing. It is also the entrance to utilize for individuals in wheelchairs.

GPS Address:
Capital Building
East Wing Entrance
500 Commonwealth Avenue
Harrisburg PA

There is parking lot information available for those interested.

Please contact Tim Miller at 724-309-9056 with questions or if you need assistance on the 13th.

My Work, My Choice

Rally in Harrisburg

When: March 13, 2017
Where: State Capital Building
Time: 10:30 a.m.

It is now time to “VOICE” your message on the “Proposed Changes” that the Office of Developmental Programs is attempting to implement on individuals with an intellectual disability.

ALL individuals should have a CHOICE in what they want to do.

PLEASE get as many people in Harrisburg on March 13th as possible.

Our motto is very simple!!

“My Work, My Choice”

Please contact Tim Miller at 724-837-1250 or at tmiller@wcbainpa.org if you are planning to attend the RALLY.

Please let us know if a need exists for transportation or Hotel accommodations.

Hats ($2.00) and Shirts ($4.00) with the “MY Work, My Choice statement are available to order for the RALLY.

Important Meetings Regarding ODP

We need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. With that in mind, the Westmoreland County Blind Association will be hosting meetings on February 8th to determine what action is needed to have the Commonwealth revise their “Proposed Changes” for individuals with an intellectual disability.

What will be discussed?

  • Update information on several large Organizations joining our group to provide assistance.
  • Updated information will be provided on the potential of a hearing in Harrisburg.
  • Review the outcome of meetings held with ODP and a SELECT few Providers.
  • Provide contact information from other Providers, family members, advocacy groups, etc. throughout the Commonwealth, in order to build a stronger network.
  • Determine dates for a RALLY in Harrisburg.

As you are all aware, it is getting to CRUNCH TIME!!! Our voices are definitely being heard and we cannot stop until there is a change.

Who should attend?

  • Providers
  • Families/Caregivers
  • Consumers
  • Politicians

*We are arranging for conference calling for those of you that are unable to attend in person.

Times: 9:30 a.m. or 6:00 p.m.

Location: 911 South Main Street, Greensburg PA 15601

Please RSVP Tim Miller or Deann Wallbaum at 724-837-1250 or at tmiller@wcbainpa.org.