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JANUARY 31, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
SPCA to host Parents’ Night Out
VisionCorps in need of volunteer drivers BY FRANCINE FULTON
BY FRANCINE FULTON
hile their parents are enjoying an evening out, children can enjoy playing and cuddling with adoptable cats and dogs during a Valentine’s Day Parents’ Night O ut to be held on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10 and 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Brandy wine Valle y SPCA’s West Chester campus. A donation will be collected per child for the program, which is open to youngsters ages 5 to 12. “We have a community engagement room where we have events. In there, the kids will make a craft; they will learn about animals and animal careers, watch an animal-related Children will be able to meet with adoptable dogs. movie, play trivia and have a pizza about animals and how to care Camp all summer long, which is a party,” explained Sara Smith, for them. “Any interaction that day camp for kids where they will SPCA director of communications. the kids can get with our adopt- learn everything from pet CPR “Then they will go the shelter and ables is great. It’s great for kids to and behavioral training to how to visit the animals, or the puppies learn even at a young age how to walk dogs.” Registration for summer Critter and kittens will be brought over. handle animals,” Smith pointed They will get a little cuddle time out. “We may teach them how to Camp, which runs from 9 a.m. with our adoptables and maybe give a puppy a bath or groom a to 3 p.m., is currently underway. make a valentine for a pet of their kitty. They will learn all kinds of The first weekly session will be fun things.” held from Monday, June 10, choice.” Smith noted that the SPCA also through Friday, June 14, at the In addition to the West Chester campus, located at 1212 Phoenix- offers a Critter Camp program West Chester campus. To register for Parents’ Night ville Pike, Parents’ Night Out will for children ages 5 to 12. During be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 10 camp, attendees learn about a Out, visit https://secure.qgiv at the SPCA’s New Castle campus, variety of animal-related topics. .com/for/2024parentsnightout. 290 Churchmans Road, New Castle, The camp also features guest A link to register is also available at speakers and interactions with www.facebook.com/Brandywine Del. SPCA and www.bvspca.org. More Smith said that the event not the shelter’s pets. “(Parents’ Night Out) is just one information about Critter Camp only benefits the parents who can enjoy spending time together, of our kids’ enrichment events,” is available at https://secure.qgiv but also helps the children learn Smith noted. “We have our Critter .com/for/2024crittercamp.
VisionCorps is looking for volunteers to help drive people who are blind and vision-impaired. Volunteer opportunities are available in both Lancaster and Chester counties. Especially needed are volunteers willing to drive VisionCorps staff members to clients’ homes,
where they teach them the skills they need to live independently. “They can use their own car or a VisionCorps vehicle,” explained Carol Gifford, community relations specialist. “We help them with mileage (reimbursement) if they use their own car.” She noted that two staff members have a regular need for transportation, so VisionCorps See VisionCorps pg 2
Steve Schafebook (outside car), a case manager with VisionCorps, speaks to Jerry, a client.
Becoming a Master Watershed Steward BY FRANCINE FULTON
Teaching adults and children about the environment, monitoring water quality and participating in stream cleanups are just some of the activities of the Master Watershed Stewards (MWS), a volunteer program of Penn State Extension. Applications are currently being accepted for the spring 2024 MWS training classes, which will run from March to June, with separate dates for Berks, Lancaster and Chester counties.
According to Erin Frederick, statewide MWS coordinator, training topics will include flooding, drinking water, wastewater treatment, plastic pollution, water chemistry, restoration projects, native plants and the implications of land uses on the watershed. “We cover a lot,” she said, noting that optional field trips are also offered. In exchange for 40 hours of instruction, candidates must agree to contribute 20 hours of volunteer service their first year, followed by 20 hours of volunteer See Watershed Steward pg 5
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VOL XXXIII • NO 48