Greater Hershey Area ALSO SERVING HUMMELSTOWN AND MIDDLETOWN
townlively.com
MARCH 9, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Giving Tree Celebrates 13 Years Of Supporting The Community “There was a group of women (whose) kids all went to the same hat began as a small group elementary school,” she said. “One of women looking out for of the women was having a hard each other and their fami- time, and her friends rallied around lies has grown and evolved into The her. They cooked meals and Giving Tree of Hummelstown and watched her kids. That was the Hershey, a nonprofit organization blossoming of it.” Balog noted that the mom who that benefits the local community, including adults, children and fami- received assistance then wanted to return the favor. lies in need, as well “She wanted to give as those in transition or going through a “The biggest smiles back and got people are on the faces of together and started personal crisis. In January, The the kids who are cooking meals and Giving Tree of recipients of our freezing them (for Hummelstown and e f f o r t s . T h a t i s families that might Hershey celebrated why we do what need them), and then it grew,” she its 13th anniver- we do.” explained. “More sary. Since its forpeople were interestmation, the charity has provided more than $180,000 ed in helping out, and we started in household goods, food, cloth- to address other small needs in our ing and medical and educational community.” The Giving Tree, which functions support to those in need in Derry Township and Lower Dauphin under the Foundation for Enhancing Communities program, holds school districts. Kim Balog, president of the advi- “Roll Up Your Sleeves” (ROYS) sory board of The Giving Tree, events each year. These include explained how the initiative started. organizing a winter coat drive for
BY FRANCINE FULTON
HCC
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students in the Lower Dauphin School District and collecting fruit baskets in December, which are donated to the Hershey, Hummelstown and Grantville food pantries. Dental kits containing a toothbrush and toothpaste are provided each February in conjunction with National Dental Health Month to both Lower Dauphin and Derry Township school districts. Healthy Choice Snack Packs are provided through Lower Dauphin Falcon Packs over the summer months, when many students do not receive lunch or breakfast because they are not in school. “We collect shelf-stable food items, package them and hand them out at the schools,” said Balog. “We give them a bag of (snacks) - pudding, yogurt, fruit cups, milk, juices and veggie chips.” The Giving Tree provides personal hygiene kits that are distributed to various Lower Dauphin
organizations, including schools, Lower Dauphin Communities That Care, Falcon Packs and the Hummelstown Food Pantry. The Giving Tree also provides assistance for students who need dental care or eyeglasses. “It’s all geared toward the school students and their needs,” said Balog. “The biggest smiles are on the faces of the kids who are recipients of our efforts. That is why we do what we do.” In addition to Balog, who has been a volunteer for 10 years and an advisory board member for six, the 2022 advisory board consists of Rosa Stroh, vice president; Becky Hilgers, treasurer; Carol Gallerizzo, secretary; Kathy Peffer; and Louise Albrecht. For more information about The Giving Tree or to donate, visit www.givingtreeofhummelstown.org or www.facebook.com/Hummels townHersheyGivingTree.
MAMS Team Places Second In Competition A team of seventh- and eighthgraders from Middletown Area Middle School (MAMS) recently placed second out of 15 teams at the annual Future Cities competition, which was held virtually this year. Students served as artists, writers, presenters and researchers for the project. The judges lauded the eightperson MAMS team on several aspects of the team’s city, called Perfeudum. The students considered their city’s location and its natural resources in their innovative solutions, such as the use of Neptune Balls, algae and seaweed from the Mediterranean Sea. They also focused on reusing and recycling of materials in creative ways. For example, consumers in Perfeudum can use 3D printers to replace broken or missing toy pieces instead of throwing See MAMS pg 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Lecture, Book Signing Slated . . . . . . . . . .2 Annual Easter Sale Posted . . . . . . . . . . .2 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .10 House Of Worship . . . . . .12
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Dental kits are provided to students in the Lower Dauphin and Derry Township school districts.
Carol Gallerizzo from The Giving Tree delivered fruit baskets to the Hershey Food Bank last December.
VOL XXXIV • NO 35
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