Senator Gebhard E-Newsletter

View this email in a browser

In this Update:

  • Hunting & Middle Creek Visitor Center Update
  • Happy 100th Birthday to Mr. Robert E. Smith
  • Grant and Resource Workshop for Non-Profit Organizations
  • Recognizing National Financial Awareness Day
  • PennDOT Offers Winter Maintenance Jobs
  • Free Webinars Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info
  • How Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Can Benefit From PA ABLE
  • Keep Cool at the Pool or Lake
  • Local Events

Hunting & Middle Creek Visitor Center Update

This fall, I plan to join the Pennsylvania Game Commission in hosting a Hunting & Visitor Center Update at Middle Creek Wildlife’s Visitor Center.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission staff will present on the upcoming hunting season regulation changes, and general hunting information. The presentation will last about 1 hour and provide time for Q&A. Staff will also provide updates on recent activities occurring at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and Visitor Center.

There is no charge for the event, but seating is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please register for the event by October 1st by visiting https://senatorgebhard.com/hvcu-registration/ or by calling my district office at 717-274-6735.

Happy 100th Birthday to Mr. Robert E. Smith

This week, my office presented a Senate citation to a Linden Village resident and WWII Veteran, Mr. Robert E. Smith, to celebrate his 100th Birthday.

Mr. Smith was born in Lebanon on August 6, 1924. He is the proud father of six children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He served our country with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War.

Following his service, he worked as an insurance agent for State Farm Mutual Insurance Company and was active in his community and the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lebanon. I want to thank him for his service and congratulate him on this incredible milestone.

Grant and Resource Workshop for Non-Profit Organizations

Navigating the Commonwealth’s complex and convoluted Departmental system of grant funding is challenging to say the least. To that end, I will be organizing and hosting a Non-Profit Grant and Resource Workshop on September 24th at the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with the program beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The workshop will feature Deputy Secretary Rick Vilello from the Department of Community and Economic Development, Joe Marsicano from the Senate Grants Team, Nicole Gray from the Community Health Council of Lebanon County, and Vicki DeLoatch from Lebanon Family Health.

As part of the workshops, you will receive a state reference manual that contains a comprehensive listing of grant programs and important contact information. I believe you will find the manual to be a valuable reference for many years to come.

There is no charge for the Seminar, but seating is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please register for the workshop by September 20th by visiting https://senatorgebhard.com/non-profit-workshop-reg/ or by calling my district office at 717-274-6735.

Recognizing National Financial Awareness Day

Wednesday, Aug. 14, marks National Financial Awareness Day. With recent estimates showing families in the United States have nearly $1 trillion in credit card debt and more than $15 trillion in debt overall, the day is a useful reminder of the impacts financial decisions can have for many years to come.

Senate Republicans recognized that young adults face financial decisions that can come with long-term consequences and passed legislation I sponsored to arm high school students with money management skills. The new law requires completion of a half-credit personal finance course to graduate high school.

The course will give high school students the understanding they need about topics like credit and credit scores; savings and investments; college, home and auto loans; and planning for postsecondary education and retirement.

PennDOT Offers Winter Maintenance Jobs

Individuals seeking seasonal employment can apply for a variety of winter maintenance positions now open through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

The program runs September through April and includes positions for transportation equipment operators, diesel and construction equipment mechanics, radio dispatchers, auto mechanics, tradesman helpers, semi-skilled laborers and tunnel maintainers. Individuals in these positions supplement the permanent workforce and have the potential to lead to permanent full-time employment.

Additional details about the positions, along with the job application, are available here and then go to “PennDOT Winter Maintenance Program.”

Free Webinars Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process.

On Tuesday, Aug. 20 at noon, speakers will discuss web resources for effective research before, during and after your student makes postsecondary decisions. On Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m., speakers will focus on available loan programs, if there are costs not showing on the bill that must be paid and more.

Register to attend the one-hour webinars.

How Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Can Benefit From PA ABLE

PA ABLE gives individuals with disabilities a way to save money for the future without impacting important benefits like Medical Assistance (Medicaid) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Tax benefits for saving with PA ABLE include:

  • Contributions are deductible from PA state income taxes.
  • Earnings and contributions grow tax-free.
  • No taxes are owed for qualified withdrawals.
  • Accounts aren’t subject to the state inheritance tax.

PA ABLE accounts can be used to pay for a wide variety of disability-related expenses including rent, groceries, health care, vehicle adaptations, assistive technology and more. Treasurer Stacy Garrity and PA ABLE professionals are hosting free webinars on how to start saving:

For more information, visit paable.gov or call 855-529-ABLE (2253).

Keep Cool at the Pool or Lake

The dog days of summer are upon us. If you’re looking for a fun way to stay cool on a hot day, visit a Pennsylvania state park to go swimming. Many have pools and lakes.

State park beaches are open and free to the public for swimming from before Memorial Day to after Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. The “open swim” policy allows people to swim at their own risk within the buoy line at designated beaches – 35 across the state – from 8 a.m. until sunset daily.

Fifteen state parks have swimming pools for the public to enjoy. Pools are usually open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission fees vary based on the type of operation. Lifeguards are on duty when state park pools are open. Find a park with a pool and learn more.

Local Events

Friday, August 9, 5pm-7:30pm: Peach Festival
50 Freeman, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, August 10, 10am-2pm: Smokey’s 80th Birthday Celebration
Berks County Heritage Center (Berks, PA)
Click here

Saturday, August 10, 10am-6pm: Baconfest
Intercourse Community Park (Lancaster, PA)
Click here

Tuesday, August 13, 7pm: History of Robert H. Coleman
Cornwall Manor (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Tuesday, August 13, 7pm: Jonestown Movie in the Park
Jonestown Park (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

divider

Please do not reply to this email, as that mailbox is unattended. To better serve the constituents of the 48th District, I have set up a contact form on my website. Please click here if you would like to send me a message. To subscribe to Senator Gebhard’s newsletter click here.  Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or visit https://senatorgebhard48.com/

Facebook Twitter/X Website

2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorgebhard.com | Privacy Policy