Posted 5/3/2024
Last month, Merakey IDD program in Susquehanna Valley, PA celebrated spring with an all-Inclusive Egg Hunt! The Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Sunbury Police Department and ARC Susquehanna Valley, was featured twice in the local newspaper.
- Click here to read the first article.
- Click here to read the second article
Hanna Radio and This is Big Foot Country joined the fun, as well as Momma T’s Homestead Bus who brought her large rabbits for pet therapy for those participating in the Egg Hunt.
The area already has 6,000 Easter Eggs donated for next year’s hunt, and Good Will and the Police Department have started meeting to discuss next year’s plans. It was a wonderful event for all who participated!
In celebration of the Merakey Foundation Bowling Tournament in Pittsburgh, those who couldn’t make it to Zone 28 attended bowling events at Paradise Bowl in Neville Island and Sims Bowling Lanes in Beaver Falls. They bowled, had pizza and snacks, and enjoyed seeing their friends for a fun day in the community.
Take Your Child to Work Day was filled with exciting activities at Merakey AVS’s Pittsburgh Campus including planting, making slime, and playing sports. Food trucks visited the campus adding to the fun day.
Ben, Brad, Tom, and Kimmy from Merakey AVS Evergreen home had a great day hiking at Olsen Park in Moon Township, PA.
Kregg, James, Jonathan, Keith, and staff members Christian and Jamie from Merakey AVS Wildwood home visited the Beaver County Air Heritage Museum to check out vintage airplanes and learn about the history of flight.
Genny, Wendy, and Nolte House Manager Susan White from Merakey AVS spent an artsy day at Randyland art museum. They also stopped for a yummy lunch at the Terminal in Pittsburgh's famous Strip District.
On April 30, Merakey AVS Slippery Rock Area threw a retirement party for Health Services Supervisor, Terry Mack, and Assistant Health Services Supervisor, Lisa Buhler. Terry Mack served Merakey for over 10 years. During his tenure, he built an excellent team of nurses to provide top quality care for the individuals we support. Lisa Buhler worked for Merakey for over 20 years. During her time with Merakey she was known for being one of the best nurses with a meticulous eye for detail. Client care was always her top concern. Both Terry and Lisa worked well with all departments, and they were friendly and caring to everyone. Jessica Hoffman and Amy Cumberland, nurses from the Slippery Rock nursing team, were promoted to Health Services Supervisor and Assistant Health Services Supervisor respectively. Both Jessica and Amy have several years’ experience in the Slippery Rock Area of Merakey. Both possess the excellence and caring attitude that Terry and Lisa have. Although Terry and Lisa will be greatly missed, we wholeheartedly welcome Jessica and Amy and wish them nothing but the best. In true Slippery Rock style, we sent Terry and Lisa off with a big party and enough food to feed a small army. Best wishes to Terry and Lisa!
Chris from Merakey Penn Hills Adult Training Facility (ATF) enjoyed a special trip with Team Supervisor Tabitha over the weekend to see a musical production of Million Dollar Quartet at the Pittsburgh Music Theatre. They rode a coach bus down to Pittsburgh and stopped at Olive Garden for lunch. Special thanks to Team Friends, Caring and Sharing for hosting this event.
Alex from Merakey Penn Hills ATF enjoyed finding a giant Connect 4 game during a special outing to the Waterfront shopping area.
With help from long time staff member Lynelle, the Merakey Penn Hills ATF began their American Sign Language classes again. Every morning the Day Program spends 15 minutes learning five new ASL signs for the week.
Merakey Penn Hills ATF celebrated Earth Day last week by making Earth Commitment Crafts. They worked with staff to come up with three different ways that they could keep the earth safe. They also enjoyed reading a short story all about Earth Day and the way we can celebrate it.
