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By LaDawn Yesho, CPA | S&TBank

When I joined the Southwestern Chapter Executive Committee in 2014, one of our goals was to increase member engagement, including emerging CPAs who have been licensed for less than 10 years and student affiliates. I shared with our committee that during my years at Ernst & Young, I coordinated a “spring cleanup” event with one of the local universities’ student accounting clubs to build recruiting relationships and give back to our community. The engagement of volunteers, both students and professionals, was amazing. Informal networking opportunities were created as students, associates, and partners rolled up their sleeves to work side-by-side to pick up trash along the Pittsburgh river banks and vacant lots in nearby communities, and it soon became an annual event.

The committee went on to embrace the idea of adding another community service project to our calendar of events, and so began our annual Attitude of Gratitude where we volunteer at the Westmoreland County Food Bank. Volunteers sort and repackage donated food to be distributed to food pantries throughout the county. This year’s Attitude of Gratitude will be held Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving. The event continues to grow, including PICPA members at all levels of their career and college students. It reminds us that we each have a lot to be thankful for as we donate our time to help those less fortunate. It also creates opportunities to participate in a rewarding, spirited team activity, and to mentor and recruit PICPA student members.  

LaDawn Yesho with her husband, Doug, at Southwestern Chapter’s Week of Service event in 2015.

Beyond these two wonderful events, our chapter has joined other chapters in expanding our organized community outreach through PICPA’s Week of Service program. In 2015 our chapter volunteered at a charity walk-a-thon to register participants and process donations, and for 2016 we are partnering with United Way’s Faith in Action Program, which supports local older adults. Volunteers will be needed for yard work, painting, or light handiwork at homes.

When kind hearts come together and take action, they make an incredible difference. I encourage all PICPA members to get involved in Week of Service this fall, and if you are social-media savvy, post pictures on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #PICPAcares. – Thanks to all who participate in the PICPA’s community service projects, and I look forward to seeing many of you this fall!

LaDawn Yesho, CPA, is executive vice president and chief audit executive of S&T Bank. She is also president-elect of the Southwestern Chapter for 2016-2017.