Salvation Army gives thanks

The Salvation Army Corps of State College wishes to thank local businesses for their quick response and donations to help the recovery efforts at the recent Peppermill garage collapse Sept. 3. Without their concern and generosity, it would have been impossible to support the hundreds of emergency fire and police disaster personnel.

Donations included large quantities of water and Gatorade, sandwiches, fresh fruits, pies and cookies and numerous pizzas. A big "thank you" to the following establishments: Wal-Mart, Nittany Beverage, Papa Johns Pizza, Brothers pizza, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Subways and Sheetz. The Salvation Army is gratified to see how well the community pulled together to address this local emergency, and grateful for the ongoing support of the Salvation Army Corps.

Charles Niedermyer,
Officer, Salvation Army Corps

Signs mean a great deal

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to several groups responsible for our 12 Centre County United Way outdoor thermometer signs, which display the status of our annual fund-raising campaign, which is now under way.

The signs were recently installed around the county and really represent a wonderful volunteer cooperative effort between several groups, telling a story of people working together for the common good.

After several years of withstanding the elements, all of the signs needed to be repaired or replaced. Poole Anderson generously donated lumber to the wood shop class at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology and, under teacher Bill Weaver's guidance, signs were repaired or replaced. Township offices and individual property owners gave their permission for signs to be installed over a six-month period.

Next, Allegheny Energy will mark the sites and dig holes to permit installation year after year. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania will transport signs around the county and install them.

This year, Penn State gave us an additional hand with installations on Penn State property. At the end of the campaign, the signs will be removed and stored at RH Marcon Inc.

Take a look at these signs as you travel around the county. They not only show our fund-raising progress, but also tell a story of cooperation and the spirit of volunteerism.

Connie Schroeder,

Community relations director, Centre County United Way