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[Page H3987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THANK YOU TO PA-15 CONSTITUENTS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight
several of my constituents who have gone out of their way to make a
positive impact during the coronavirus pandemic.
Over the past few months, it has been easy to feel surrounded by
nothing but negative news. In an effort to highlight the good news that
we weren't seeing enough of, I started a social media campaign called
PA-15 Cares. PA-15 Cares highlights all of the volunteers who have gone
above and beyond during this pandemic to lend a helping hand, to help
their neighbors in need, and to brighten the spirits of all those
impacted by COVID-19. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a few
examples of those who rose to the occasion during this pandemic.
Many chose to make masks for frontline workers, including high school
student Morgan McConnell of Cambria County. While her school was
closed, Morgan made good use of her time and made more than 500 masks
in just the first week. It is her way of helping others, and she has
given many of the masks to local hospital employees free of charge.
Selfless small business owners, even those who may be struggling
financially as a result of the pandemic, have stopped to ask: How can I
help?
Rick Ardini, owner of Rik-N-Nik's restaurant in Ebensburg, has
provided countless meals for those out of work, children, the elderly,
and anyone else who needed them. He also gave great advice: ``Talk to
each other, learn about each other, spend some time, and play some
games. Be a family. Slow life down.''
Another small business which also happens to be in Ebensburg has been
providing a critical service for the first responders. SERVPRO
partnered with the Dauntless Volunteer Fire Department to provide free
cleaning and sanitation services for emergency response vehicles.
The Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania have also stepped up to give
back to their community. They have started a Hometown Heroes program to
give free cookies to frontline workers, including medical
professionals, first responders, nursing home staff, the Army National
Guard, and more.
Lastly, I would like to highlight Samantha Schrecengost of
Punxsutawney. Samantha, a Senior Corps volunteer, and the folks at
Community Action started a Phone-A-Friend program for seniors. Due to
COVID-19, many elderly Americans have been cut off from loved ones, and
isolation can take a mental and emotional toll. Volunteers of the
Phone-A-Friend program call seniors two to three times a week to check
in, see how they can be helpful, and just share a few minutes of
friendly conversation with our seniors.
Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged to see how the communities in my
district have come together in such an unprecedented time of crisis to
find a way to support one another.
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