[music playing] NARRATOR 1: Coming up on Keystone Stories, state of service.

[music playing] Support for Keystone Stories comes from Explore Altoona, offering visitors of all ages outdoor recreation, performing arts, visual exhibits, and eateries located throughout Blair County.

Information at explorealtoona.com.

Tom and Sarah Songer of the Torron Group in State College, a proud supporter of programming on WPSU.

More information at torrongroup.com.

And by viewers like you.

WILL PRICE: Welcome to Keystone Stories community service organizations come in all shapes and sizes.

You can volunteer with a soup kitchen walk with relay for life and give blood, or simply donate to a free library like this one in Reedsville.

But there are plenty of other organizations in Pennsylvania you may not have heard of, and they all have the same mission, to make their communities a better place.

[music playing] RHONDA BOHNER: The glass slipper project is a project for the Blair County Community.

[music playing] We have dresses.

We have shoes.

We have pocketbooks.

We have jewelry.

So we can pretty much dress you from head to toe for free.

NARRATOR 1: Formal dances can place a financial burden on students and their families.

Efforts like the Glass Slipper Project work to ensure that money is not a barrier to a student being able to participate in these cherished rites of passage.

RHONDA BOHNER: A lot of dresses were donated right after COVID because there were no PROMs, and a lot of businesses went out of business and donated everything to this project.

That's why we have so many gowns that are brand new with tags hanging off of them.

And then Macy's donated a lot of dresses, and the people that take gowns bring them back the next year.

BETSY KELLY-DREIBELBIS: And we had a big sponsor, Reliance Bank, which helped us to get some different sizes that we didn't have a lot of.

So that was really helpful.

NARRATOR 1: Not only do people donate gowns to the glass slipper project, they also donate their time.

The initiative is staffed almost entirely by volunteers.

BETSY KELLY-DREIBELBIS: It's two full weekends.

This is our last day.

We just did it on Saturday for an extra day.

It's nice to see the girls and how excited they are when they find that dress.

I was just going to get any dress at this point, and then I came here and I found the perfect dress for me, which makes me really happy.

It's like it makes me feel so good about myself.

Oh, yeah.

I found these earrings.

They're red like my dress, and they're perfect for it.

And it's just-- I just feel like I'm going to be so pretty.

Dresses are expensive.

If we can make a few people happy and not spend their bank account, it's really good to be able to give that back to the community.

[music playing] NARRATOR 1: While initiatives like the glass slipper project focus on supporting milestone events, others work to address ongoing daily challenges facing Pennsylvanians.

[music playing] In Carlisle, New Life Community Church engages in a number of service programs for the community.

One of those is a project called Life Cycle.

It offers residents a safe way to get to work.

RYAN BROWN: Was just hearing about people having to walk 10, 15 miles a day, and there was no community transportation.

So we started Life Cycle.

NARRATOR 1: Through Life Cycle's Earn-A-Bike program, people can use service hours instead of dollars to obtain a bike by volunteering at New Life or at one of their partner organizations.

In 2022, more than 150 bikes were distributed through this program.

RYAN BROWN: Carlisle is really such a generous community.

All of our bikes are donated.

Some of the bikes that come in are not bikes that we are able to fix.

But we strip them, and then we recycle any and all parts that we can, and we rely pretty much solely on volunteers.

NARRATOR 1: New Life considers volunteer training as yet another aspect of the Life Cycle program.

The skills learned to repair donated bikes can be a form of professional development, providing a new career path for members of the community.

RYAN BROWN: We want it to be a program that is not only providing bicycles.

We want to see folks develop skills and abilities that can be utilized in other career fields.

Ollie started out as a volunteer.

Now he's been hired through the AARP program to be our assistant shop manager.

[music playing] I was a mechanic.

And I come into here, and I had to learn it all.

And it's hands on.

I'm not the perfect daddy, but I continue to learn each and every day.

By tuning the bikes up, make sure it's all safe for the person taking the bike.

You get people in here that really need it, and they just smile ear to ear.

There's a lot of gratitude that makes me feel like I'm doing something important for the community.

RYAN BROWN: Kids bikes were never one of our primary focuses, but we do receive donated kids bikes.

So what we've done with that is we've partnered with several community programs here in Carlisle.

We partner with the school district and counselors, refer families so that kids can get bikes to get to school.

We also do one or two large scale kids bike events throughout the year.

Life cycle has really connected a lot of dots in our community.

Because of a lot of times without the transportation piece, everything else is impossible-- the housing, sourcing food.

So for some people, it's like, oh, I'm getting rid of a bike that's been in my garage or in my shed for the last 30 years.

But value of a bike for that person getting the bike, it's like I'm changing my life.

NARRATOR 1: On our last stop, you'll see that it's not just the people of Pennsylvania that support others in the community.

Even some of the animals that call this state home can be counted on to be of service.

[music playing] KIM ROUSH: Horses of Hope got started by the director Laurie Flanagan having a dream to find a way to help people with special needs, and she took her dream and made it happen.

Nice.

Good job.

It started with about three riders, one horse, and then it expanded to what it is today.

Take care.

We have three different programs.

The therapeutic riding program works with special needs.

We also have an in-hand connection program, and the in-hand program lets people get that physical contact, the touch on the horses, and start to build a connection without the involvement of the riding.

So they do a lot of grooming and a lot of groundwork with them.

And then we have the veterans program heroes and horses.

Equine assisted services is a very broad spectrum therapeutic environment.

Physically, when we ride, the movement of the horse moves different parts of our body than any other activity.

So it can really help muscles.

It can help with stretching.

So what happened there, Claire?

I got it.

KIM ROUSH: You did get it.

My favorite part is trotting.

I have to sit up nice in the saddle properly in order to get the trot.

KIM ROUSH: And then there's the mental aspect of it.

Getting in tune with the horse.

Getting in tune with yourself.

I'm not saying that there's another animal that's not as intuitive as a horse, but there's not a doubt in my mind that a horse knows when you're happy, sad, mad, excited, anxious.

They know what's going on.

All right.

That's it.

You want to say hi to Billy?

Hi, Billy.

KIM ROUSH: The bond that can develop is-- there aren't any words for it.

We have one young girl who has definitely developed a bond with the horse that she'll be working with.

He changes as soon as she's here, and you just-- you can see the two of them reassure each other.

You can see her shine more when she's around him.

You can see him relax and lean into her.

It's very difficult to put into words.

I'm Haidyn and this is Hot Rod.

[music playing] He's very funny and wild, but he listens very well.

More and more on your own time.

Good for you KIM ROUSH: You have individuals that will come out here that they're super, super quiet.

They don't say anything.

They're not really socially active.

Once they get on that horse and even after they get off the horse, you can just see a complete change sometimes.

Lizzie was a perfect example today.

You could just see how she was super quiet when she got here.

Her mom saying that she didn't speak very much, and now she just opens up.

He is Brown.

Yeah, he's brown.

And what do you think of Hot Rod?

[inaudible] Hot Rod is a beautiful horse?

Hot rod is a beautiful horse.

What do you like about riding a horse?

[inaudible] He's your favorite, isn't he?

You guys have a good relationship.

Yeah.

[inaudible] relationship.

KIM ROUSH: It is equine therapy, but it is also therapy for your soul.

Horses of Hope is very much a volunteer run organization.

I would say we have about 40 plus volunteers.

We have volunteer coordinators.

We have outreach coordinators.

We have a board of directors.

We have people that help with finance.

We have horse handlers, caregivers, which are the feeders, muckers of stalls, things like that.

Mucking stall, I think we talked about that earlier.

Cleaning up manure.

You're talking Clinton County, but you're also seeing people that don't live in Clinton County that are willing to give their time and energy.

So I think it just says a lot about the people that surround us.

Programs like Horses of Hope, programs that are volunteer based and community service are very important.

They meet a need that many people otherwise wouldn't have met.

[music playing] FAWN SHAFFER: There's not a lot for these kids around here.

And for something like this to be in our area is really awesome.

And he enjoys it.

You can tell how excited he gets about it.

Oh, yeah.

But just physically seeing him change as far as how much more flexible he is, how his balance has changed.

So it helps him physically and makes him pretty darn happy.

Oh, yeah.

[laughs] You did great buddy.

Good job.

Goodbye.

Yes.

Jody, Dusty [inaudible].

Billy.

Billy is done for the day.

OK. Yeah.

He's done for the day.

Yes, he's done for the day, for my portion of the day.

[inaudible] Very good.

[music playing] WILL PRICE: This next segment comes from the 2014 documentary, water blues, green solutions, and tells the story of how organizations pair with city governments to help improve neighborhoods and their resources.

NARRATOR 2: Transforming how a major city manages its stormwater can't be accomplished by one city agency alone.

To transform the fabric of a neighborhood, it requires partnerships with grass roots organizations with boots on the ground.

CARRIE RATHMANN: We are a nonprofit that does free critical repairs for low income homeowners.

That includes energy efficiency work, health and safety repairs, and anything critical to a home.

But we cluster that work on blocks where we do multiple homes.

[music playing] And today, our focus is on the stormwater management piece.

Today, we are installing downspout planters, and that's a box that goes at the bottom of a downspout, and it manages roof runoff that comes down your downspout.

And you can plan it like a regular planter.

I've learned about sustainability and consumption and all of that, and that's a good way to conserve water.

And also it looks nice when you put your flowers in there.

I want to put mint in mine.

Yes, I'm going to make tea, but I'm going to make mojitos also.

[laughs] CARRIE RATHMANN: The water department has taken a truly grassroots approach to we'll do it bucket by bucket, house by House.

MAGGIE WOOD: We absolutely hope that we can educate more people about the environment and stormwater management specifically for the water department.

And I think we've been able to build community as well.

[side conversation] CARRIE RATHMANN: And we also have a group creating the beginnings of a community garden on a vacant lot.

MELISSA JOHNSON: The garden project was my idea, so I want to just see it all come together.

We're going to start with some tomatoes, some lettuce, some peppers, some okra, some beans, and just look forward to planning for next summer's crop.

I think that's going to-- those are going to be flower beds over there.

Our neighbor wants to make this like a garden, and she wants to make this a park for the kids.

So I think we're going to-- We can play back here.

--over here and make the garden over there.

So-- Oh.

Honey, I can't breathe.

MELISSA JOHNSON: It's going to be wonderful for the children to have something to do.

It's going to be wonderful once the vegetables start sprouting, we'll have something to eat.

It's going to be wonderful for passers by that we can see the sheer beauty of it all, and it's just a good thing.

I'm very happy about it.

[music playing] LESLIE LAING: Community involvement is really important to me.

Part of that stems from being a single parent.

I came to a new state without anybody else with a two-year-old, and I wanted to have a safe environment for my daughter.

[music playing] I think State College is a warm and welcoming place.

It's not a Happy Valley for everybody for sure.

I think we struggle as a community thinking about what it means to belong and how we can become more inclusive, but I'm really driven by finding solutions.

You really have to be a part of things.

You have to collaborate.

You have to really put yourself out there intentionally in order to build bridges.

And so I try to do that through my job, at my church, and in my home.

[music playing] I get involved with the community diversity group.

I also engage with the Pennsylvania prison society.

I am also a part of community conferencing for Center County.

I love volunteering on radio and television for WDSU.

And I also have served as the president for the forum on Black Affairs in 2013 on campus for faculty, staff, and students.

The forum on Black Affairs strives to recognize and celebrate those who are involved in the dreaming the leading and the celebrating and living King's legacy, because this is at the heart of our community.

[applause] [music playing] I am up early in the day.

I am out late at night seven days a week.

I do get tired.

[laughs] But when you're passionate for something, that makes all the difference.

I go where the need is and where I feel I can make an impact in a way that benefits others, and that fuels me.

[music playing] I was an adult learner.

It took me three universities and almost a decade to complete my undergraduate degree.

I remember having to make hard choices like whether I was going to buy that book for $200 or buy my daughter new shoes.

And so I understand the trials and the tribulations that adult students face.

The diploma case behind me is pivotal because I couldn't afford my diploma case the first time I graduated, and my work colleagues put together money and bought it for me.

So at Pennsylvania State University where I am the director for adult learner programs and services, I award other adult students a $500 grant and a diploma case.

I started the program with my own $500 as a single parent, and I have given away one every year for the last 15 years.

[music playing] I think people underestimate their spheres of influence and how much impact their everyday lives can make.

Our voices change the atmosphere and the outcome.

So I want to encourage everyone, wherever you are, if there is an open seat, be willing to fill it.

.

Allow your voice and your contribution to make all the difference service to our community is valued.

I think living a purposeful life in service to others is really the best gift we can give.

And if I can get that message to other people, I'm overjoyed.

[music playing] WILL PRICE: For more than 20 years, our town program has shared the stories of community members giving back.

These next stories share this love of community.

Hi.

I'm Mike Demoff.

I'm going to talk about the community Tool Shed for Mount Union Mapleton and Shirley Township today.

The tool shed is a collection of tools that are for whatever kinds of improvement projects they want to have.

Also, for community groups from the three communities are able to borrow the tools.

The community tool shed went into operation last fall.

It came about as a result of an initiative from the Juniata River blueprint communities, and this was one of the areas where they found that we could do something positive for the community.

[music playing] I think it's a good opportunity for people who don't do something because they don't have a tool that they need and maybe they would only need it one time or two times.

So why buy a tool that's going to sit around your house and you come borrow it and take it?

So we had six people, I believe, who were volunteers last year, and I wanted to thank them for all the work they did.

It was really-- really, they did a fantastic job and showed dedication to the community, and that's what it's all about.

I really love Mount Union.

I spent most of my growing years here.

I love the people.

They're hardworking.

They're dedicated.

They're family oriented.

And I think more than anything else, I believe that there's a sense, a feeling of egalitarianism in the community.

That's a big word, I know that.

Nobody feels they're better than other people.

Everybody feels like we're all working together.

The people are what makes the town.

We've gone through some hard times, and the people have been strong all through it.

And I know they care about their heritage.

I can't think of any reason why I wouldn't like Mount Union.

Hi.

I'm Danny Kashubeck.

I'm here to talk about Houtzdale Line Rails to Trails.

Well, I was one of the founding members and president, I guess, of the Trail right now.

It was in 1994 you heard that the rail line was going to be abandoned.

I'm a bike rider.

I've always had a bike.

So first thing I wanted a place to ride.

So it sounded like such a good idea.

And I wanted to have something in town here or something nearby that you could ride on.

[music playing] I was also on Borough Council at the time, so there was certain information that the railroad abandoning came through the borough so that it was aware of what was going to happen.

And we just got together and I put an ad in the paper at one time and it's like, here, is anybody interested in a rails to trails?

And had people come to the borough building and started a group.

Conrail who we bought it from wanted $10,000 for the 10 miles of trail that we bought originally.

Actually, there was a couple members of the group that signed a bank loan, and we borrowed the money and bought the trail.

And then we had some fundraisers, and there was the Sewer Authority needed some rights of way that we sold off of it and raised the money to pay it all back.

So that's how we got started.

We did most of the work ourselves.

We had a couple of small grants that paid for materials.

But basically, we have members that had equipment in the labor, a couple of retired guys and everything.

So we got together and did small sections at a time.

We did here half mile one year, and the next year we'd do the next half mile, and just keep continuing on until we have now like seven miles of it completed.

Starts from near Osceola, goes through Houtzdale, Ramey, Smoke Run, to close to Madera.

One time you had to do everything yourself, but now the people that live along the trail, they'll cut the grass or clean up and do a lot of volunteer.

So you have a lot of good neighbors along the trail who help maintain it, and we appreciate that.

A school group did a historic paper on it and covered 8 or 10 signs that they put along the trail with different historical facts about what happened along the trail at one time.

President Benjamin Harrison was here at one time, so that was one of the unique things about the trail I think that you can find a sign on that.

There were a couple Eagle Scout projects.

One was a sign that one of the Eagle Scouts did early on.

So we needed some notice that there were going to be a trail started here, so that helped us out there.

And then there was another project that did the mile markers along the trail.

Just growing up in Houtzdale area, I've been here all my life.

So it feels like I'm part of it and it's part of me, so it seemed natural that you wanted to be involved in your own community.

Hi.

My name is Hannah Fitzsimmons, and my story is about Project Smile.

I'm an eighth grader at All Saints.

AllSaints is a faith based family centered elementary school.

We participate in many service projects.

Project Smile began shortly after the terrorist attack of 9/11.

It was created by our social studies teacher, Mrs. Zavada.

Through Project Smile, we sent cards, letters, and care packages to deployed soldiers all over the world.

Project Smile got its name from the students that they hoped that their cards will bring smiles to their soldiers faces who are so far away from home.

Over the past 15 years, we've sent thousands of care packages to deployed soldiers.

For my story, we interviewed Megan Eschenroeder, a veteran who went to All Saints and was in Project Smile.

She actually received care packages and letters from All Saints at her base.

When I was downrange At IUD this past year, I got this package that had my name on it.

And I looked at the return address and saw the school's address.

And I just remember feeling overjoyed.

When you see the names of these kids that are taking their time to make these cards and try to make you feel at home, it brings everything back that what you're doing has a purpose.

[music playing] WILL PRICE: Thanks for watching.

See you next time on Keystone Stories.

[music playing]