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Diamonds to the area’s outstanding volunteers. If you know someone whose service goes above and beyond, nominate him or her this month for the United Way of Wyoming Valley’s 2015 Rose Brader Community Service Award. This year’s recipient will be honored during a May 14 event. The recognition not only showers the winner with much-deserved thanks, it potentially serves to inspire others to roll up their sleeves for charitable causes. Nominees must be at least 18 and have performed volunteer activities during the last 10 years within the United Way of Wyoming Valley’s service area, which includes all of Luzerne County except Greater Hazleton. For information, visit the agency’s website, at www.unitedwaywb.org, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Rose Brader Award Criteria.” Or call 570-829-6711.
Coal to the person, or people, behind those @CHS-WrestleClub Twitter posts. Certain messages sent from the account seem to disparage the female victim in a sexual misconduct case that involved a school administrator. Earlier this year, suspended Coughlin High School dean and ex-wrestling coach Stephen Stahl was found guilty of a single count of corruption of a minor. If Stahl is behind the posts, the sentencing judge should hold him accountable.
Diamonds to caregiver Ramona Bevan. The Hunlock Creek woman, an employee of the Home Instead Senior Care service in Luzerne County, recently received a company award honoring her commitment to older adults. By virtue of her selection, Bevan is now in contention for regional and national recognition. “I just try to give my clients some incentive and hope,” she said, “and I try to make their day brighter.” Bevan, 53, who is a cancer survivor, strikes us as an individual who truly shines.
Coal to the reckless person, or people, pilfering road signs. In February, Dorrance Township officials learned someone had swiped several stop signs. More recently, the thefts included directional and warning signs that had been posted near a recently reconstructed bridge. Whether done for prank or profit, this behavior could result in severe injury or death. Let’s hope someone, maybe at a scrap yard or elsewhere, notices something suspicious and reports it to police.
Diamonds to the founders and ongoing sustainers of the Dial-A-Driver program. For more than four decades, this homegrown service has shuttled the Wyoming Valley’s older and disabled adults to doctor appointments, grocery stores and other nearby destinations. The program started at a Kingston church in the aftermath of 1972’s devastating flood. Now, a fleet of seven, wheelchair-accessible vans operated by Volunteers of America continues the mission of connecting people with their community. For information on the low-cost transportation option, visit www.voapa.org or call 570-825-5261.