By Amanda Paolini, PICPA member connections administrator

It’s the season of giving, and PICPA members are, as always, eager to give back to their communities. The PICPA is proud of all of our members and their families who take part in this heart-warming tradition. This year our Local Connection Committees are hard at work attending volunteer events to show their appreciation this holiday season.  

The season of giving got an early start this year. Back in September, the Greater Philadelphia Local Connection Committee partnered with the Malvern, Pa., charity Bringing Hope Home to assist local families with cancer through financial and emotional support. The committee assembled bags of hope that were dropped off at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia to bring cheer to people going through treatment. We are proud to say that over 30 bags were donated filled with goodies such as magazines, cards, lip balms, candies, pillows, and more.

On the day before Thanksgiving, two very exciting events took place, one each on the eastern and western sides of the state. In the Lehigh Valley, PICPA members attended the 25th annual LifePath Thanksgiving Benefit Luncheon. This year’s special guest was Philadelphia Eagles legendary quarterback Donovan McNabb. LifePath serves individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through our partnership with LifePath, our members helped to raise thousands of dollars for a wonderful cause! In the Southwestern region, members attended the 8th Annual Attitude of Gratitude. During this day, PICPA members sorted and packed food for the Westmoreland Food Bank. The food bank feeds 18,000 individuals each month, including families, seniors, and veterans. After a morning of hard work, our members came together for a PICPA family lunch.

The week after Thanksgiving, some of our members in the Lehigh Valley volunteered at a local food pantry, Parkland CARES. Here, they assembled snack packs to be distributed to Parkland schools. Also in the month of November, our members ran a food drive where they collected nonperishable food items to be donated to those in need.

On Dec. 2, members in the Reading area attended the 14th Annual Holiday Benefit Luncheon. The day was filled with raffle baskets and silent auctions that raised funds for youth and legal services in Berks County, Pa. The event ended with an exciting presentation from Wade Boggs, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer.

On that same night in the Northeastern region, members were busy volunteering with Valley Santa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children throughout Luzerne County during the holiday season. Many underprivileged children would go without Christmas presents without the organization’s help. Our members spent the evening wrapping presents for families in need.  

The season of giving doesn’t end on Dec. 31! After the New Year, the Pittsburgh Local Connection Committee will be volunteering with the Pittsburgh Food Bank, whose mission is to increase food security and stabilize lives. Members in the Pittsburgh area can volunteer in the market at the food bank to hand out food to those in need.  

We are so grateful for our members' willingness to give back to their communities in such meaningful ways!

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