Easter Seals

Easter Seals will be closing its offices in Franklin County, Pa., leaving patients in search of new places to obtain hearing aids, physical therapy, speech services and occupational therapy. Easter Seals announced in a news release Wednesday it intends to close its locations in Waynesboro and Chambersburg, Pa. Those closures are expected to occur before April 30. Last year, the Waynesboro office at 626 N. Grant St. served 438 patients and the Chambersburg office at 55 Hamilton Road served 544 patients, according to Lynne Wenrick, manager of rehabilitation services for the two offices.

With markers at the ready, about 200 people had heads bent, eyeballing grids of bingo cards, often six, sometimes 18 cards per person. During games, the room was remarkably quiet Sunday afternoon, except for letter-number combos being called out and the occasional “bingo.” The fundraiser, held at Elks Lodge 378 east of Hagerstown for the benefit of the Easter Seals’ Adult Day Services, was sold out, Easter Seals Interim Director Deb Lauricella said. The nonprofit started holding an annual fundraiser in 2009 to supplement funding from Medicaid, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, private pay, grants and donations, Lauricella said.

In April, the Student Services Department at Kaplan University hosted a “Good Egg” event for students, staff and faculty to help raise awareness for the Easter Seals Adult Day Services program of Washington County.   Candy-filled eggs were sold on campus, with all proceeds being donated. The Student Services Department encouraged all to buy eggs and give to anyone who has helped them or been a good friend and a “good egg.”    Recently, Lisa Copenhaver, dean of student affairs, and Bonnie Mazzocchi, student success coordinator, presented a check for $270 to Brenda Bush, community outreach director for Easter Seals Adult Day Services.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Easter Seal Society of Franklin and Adams Counties Inc. is celebrating progress. In the five decades that the Chambersburg and Waynesboro, Pa., chapters have worked together to help the disabled become more self-sufficient, they have taken major steps. "Our mission is to help people with disabilities live a more independent life," says Robert S. Hoover, 70, who has been president/CEO of The Easter Seal Society of Franklin and Adams Counties since 1991.

Michelle McDonald, who has attended Easter Seals Adult Day Services of Hagerstown for three years, attended the program's Christmas meal Wednesday with people she said were like her family. “You're with people that you love and care about here,” said McDonald, 46, of Hagerstown. “I'm very happy and grateful. Easter Seals has been very helpful to me in being with people and making friends.” Easter Seals local adult daycare program, which serves adults with disabilities, provided a Christmas lunch for its participants along with The Good Shepherd Ministries on Wednesday at the church on Longmeadow Road.

On May 6, the Grace Academy Missions Team spent the day at The Easter Seals facility, socializing with the residents and cleaning the vans and some facilities. Missions teams also beautified the Grace Academy grounds on May 3, and on May 17, sorted food at Food Resources.

HAGERSTOWN -- National Adult Day Service Week of Easter Seals will hold an open house Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help raise awareness of the availability and accessibility of one of the few adult day programs in Washington County. The Easter Seals Adult Day Service Center is at 101 E. Baltimore St. There will be tours, door prizes, food and activities. "Many people think that the only care available for seniors and adults with disabilities are assisted-living facilities, nursing homes or in-home care providers.

bonnieb@herald-mail.com WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Looking dapper in a dress shirt, tie and shiny black shoes, Jake Watson, 6, chatted easily with a visitor Saturday at the 47th annual Turkey 'n' Stuff dinner. Jake wasn't able to eat much of the traditional turkey dinner because, like many 6-year-olds, he is missing too many teeth. But, he reported, "I ate a cupcake. I only had the icing. " The Sabillasville (Md.) Elementary School kindergartner said that he likes school "because you learn a lot. " When the family was finished eating, Jake's father put him into his blue wheelchair with "JAKE" emblazoned on the seat back, and he wheeled himself around while small lights on the front wheels of the chair flashed.

Easter Seals will be closing its offices in Franklin County, Pa., leaving patients in search of new places to obtain hearing aids, physical therapy, speech services and occupational therapy. Easter Seals announced in a news release Wednesday it intends to close its locations in Waynesboro and Chambersburg, Pa. Those closures are expected to occur before April 30. Last year, the Waynesboro office at 626 N. Grant St. served 438 patients and the Chambersburg office at 55 Hamilton Road served 544 patients, according to Lynne Wenrick, manager of rehabilitation services for the two offices.

Michelle McDonald, who has attended Easter Seals Adult Day Services of Hagerstown for three years, attended the program's Christmas meal Wednesday with people she said were like her family. “You're with people that you love and care about here,” said McDonald, 46, of Hagerstown. “I'm very happy and grateful. Easter Seals has been very helpful to me in being with people and making friends.” Easter Seals local adult daycare program, which serves adults with disabilities, provided a Christmas lunch for its participants along with The Good Shepherd Ministries on Wednesday at the church on Longmeadow Road.

While Olympic events continue to be held this week on an international stage, 27 campers from Easter Seals are tackling creative twists on the sports. The 100-meter backward dash and dizzy discus are among activities planned for Camp Amp. “Our theme for the week is Olympics,” said Liz Bunting, Camp Amp director and a therapeutic recreation program coordinator with Easter Seals. For the second year, Camp Amp is being held at Camp Joy El in Antrim Township, Pa. Campers ages 7 to 17 hail from Franklin, Cumberland, York, Dauphin and Lancaster counties.

Not everyone was slow to respond last December after a Herald-Mailheadline screamed the news: “Fire company flush with cash and willing to share if asked.” Jack Coffelt, president of South Hagerstown Fire Co., made the offer as a way of maybe helping other local fire companies. And so, he thought his telephone would soon be buzzing with calls from government and fire leaders. As it turned out, none of them called. That's not to say that no one did. Coffelt said his phone did ring just after 8 a.m. the day after the story ran. “It was a nice lady - from the Easter Seals,” he said, sounding somewhat chagrined.

Thirteen-year-old Tim Parvin stood in the background Wednesday at the Easter Seals Camp Amp watching nervously as his fellow campers were hoisted 35 feet in the air. Half a dozen campers worked together pulling the line on the "flying squirrel," to give another camper the ride of a lifetime. However, Tim, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., doesn't like heights. So, it took a pep talk from a few friends before he mustered the courage to try the new adventure. "I didn't want to go up, but I did. I feel happy," he said of his accomplishment.

DEC. 30, 1918-JUNE 14, 2011 Mr. Eldon L. Joiner, 92, of Sunnyside Avenue, Waynesboro, Pa., died at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at his home. Born Dec. 30, 1918, in Thomasville, Ga., he was the son of the late Eldon L. and Mary C. (Rouzer) Joiner.   He lived his early life in the Thomasville area.   Mr. Joiner graduated from Thomasville High School with the class of 1938. He later graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., and received his law degree from the Atlanta Law School in Atlanta, Ga. He and his wife, the late Jeannette (Reid)

Nelson Victor Tubbs, 84, died of natural causes Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Hagerstown. One of the greatest Washington Redskins fans on Earth has gone home to his Heavenly Father. Born April 13, 1927, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Clyde V. and Grace Tubbs. He served his beloved country as a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was active with Easter Seals and loved his pets, especially his dog, Bailey.

Mabel Etta Criswell, 59, of Hagerstown, and formerly of Boonsboro, Md., passed from this life Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at her home in Hagerstown. Born June 12, 1951, in Arlington, Va., she was the daughter of Marjorie Annadean (Mitchell) Criswell of Boonsboro, and the late Edward Calvin Criswell. Mabel attended Harmony Grove School (now known as Rock Creek School) in Frederick, Md. After her schooling, Mabel was employed by the Jeanne Bussard Training Program in Frederick, where she did embossing and labeling.

In April, the Student Services Department at Kaplan University hosted a “Good Egg” event for students, staff and faculty to help raise awareness for the Easter Seals Adult Day Services program of Washington County.   Candy-filled eggs were sold on campus, with all proceeds being donated. The Student Services Department encouraged all to buy eggs and give to anyone who has helped them or been a good friend and a “good egg.”    Recently, Lisa Copenhaver, dean of student affairs, and Bonnie Mazzocchi, student success coordinator, presented a check for $270 to Brenda Bush, community outreach director for Easter Seals Adult Day Services.

With markers at the ready, about 200 people had heads bent, eyeballing grids of bingo cards, often six, sometimes 18 cards per person. During games, the room was remarkably quiet Sunday afternoon, except for letter-number combos being called out and the occasional “bingo.” The fundraiser, held at Elks Lodge 378 east of Hagerstown for the benefit of the Easter Seals’ Adult Day Services, was sold out, Easter Seals Interim Director Deb Lauricella said. The nonprofit started holding an annual fundraiser in 2009 to supplement funding from Medicaid, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, private pay, grants and donations, Lauricella said.