Giving was the Reason for the Season

In the spirit of the giving back, Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving donated $252,300.00 to nonprofits throughout the commonwealth. It is with great joy that Miele Manufacturing and Pennsylvania Skill can give back to organizations that contribute to the betterment of our communities in which we serve.

America250PA received a $5,000 donation from Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving to provide funding and programming over five years to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. America250PA’s goal is to engage citizens throughout the Commonwealth and bring Pennsylvania’s history into the conversation to better understand the origins and issues facing our Commonwealth and nation today. Using history, the organization hopes to encourage and inspire future leaders, celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvania in our nation’s history, and leave a lasting impact on the next generation through the triumphs, trials, and tribulations in which the state contributes to. There will be 10 campaigns that the organization will be teaching over the next five years: Salute250PA; Discover250PA; Recognize250PA; Experience250PA; Forum250PA; Showcase250PA; Impact250PA; Destination250PA; Expression250PA; and Innovate250PA. Pictured is Cassandra Coleman, Director of America 250PA, left, with Ed Pinkerton, of Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh received a $5,000 donation to support the site-based mentoring program’s coordinators, materials and program supplies, and food and beverages for “matches” at 22 sites in the Pittsburgh region. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pittsburgh implements one-on-one mentoring program for 1,500 at-risk youth in the region, helps children do better in school, avoid risky behaviors, and develop stronger relationships with their parents, teachers, and caregivers.

The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, of Wilkes-Barre, received a $5,000 donation for the Young People’s Theater Series, an integral part of the F.M. Kirby Center’s mission for 20 years. Students will have the opportunity to experience five live stage productions of popular children’s titles that are educational and entertaining. The lineup for the 2021-2022 season includes “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad”, “I Have a Dream”, “Charlotte’s Web”, “Call of the Wind”, and “The Little Red Hen”. Pictured is Ashlee Jacobs, Development Coordinator, left; Ed Pinkerton, of Pennsylvania Skill; Joell Yarmel, Director of Development; and Drew Taylor, Executive Director.

Scott Floyd, Chairman of the Honesdale Fire Department Hose Company No. 1, accepts a $5,000 donation on behalf of the fire department. The Honesdale Fire Department recently purchased a new rescue truck which has been nicknamed the “toolbox on wheels” as it is used to respond to all emergencies in the Honesdale and Wayne County. The truck has additional space in which the fire department can carry specialized equipment for life safety tools needed to perform operations. Hose Company No. 1, part of the Honesdale Fire Department, is a volunteer fire company in rural Northeast Pennsylvania.

It’s About the Warriors Foundation received a $10,000 to provide veterans post 9/11 with therapeutic services. It’s About the Warriors Foundation serves Western Pennsylvania and their therapeutic programing includes acupuncture, trigger point, laser therapy, PRP, stem cells, IV drip therapies for pain management, and mental health counseling and vibroacoustic therapies. Accepting the donation is Steve Monteleone, Founder and CEO, with Joe Weidner, Grassroots Director of Pace-O-Matic in Pennsylvania.

Muncy Township Volunteer Fire Company recently received a $5,000 donation from Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving. The VFC will use the donation to help offset the cost for new equipment purchased. The Muncy Township VFC provides fire and EMS protection services in Lycoming County.

Pennsylvania P.E.T.S. received a $3,000 donation from Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving. Pennsylvania P.E.T.S. helps low-income clients spay and neuter cats and dogs in Columbia and Montour counties. The donation will be used to help fund the organization’s Feral Cat and Trap, Neuter, Release Program (TNR) to continue supporting volunteer trappers and local farmers who contact Pennsylvania P.E.T.S. Accepting the donation is Lois Hess, President, left, and Carol Lee, Volunteer.

Lorenzo, left, and Lou Miele stopped by the Ronald McDonald House of Philadelphia to make a $5,000 donation for the 2022 Adopt a Room Program. The Adopt a Room partnership allows organizations to sponsor a guest room at one of two houses, Chestnut Street or Front & Erie. Funding supports housekeeping and maintenance of that room and provides a clean and comfortable space for all families who will stay there for the year. Through the Adopt a Room Program, it makes it easier for children to get the treatment they need and have their families by their side every step of the way. The Mieles’ also donated toys to the children there in honor of their late daughter, Angelina.

Serendipity Therapeutic Riding Center received a $5,000 donation to replace the fencing for safety for both the horses and riders. Serendipity is a horseback riding facility that aims to enhance the abilities and life skills of individuals with special needs through therapeutic horseback riding and farm-based education. They provide services to children and adults with special needs, veterans, and those suffering from mental health and drug and alcohol addictions. Serendipity Therapeutic Riding Center provides their services to Luzerne, Lackawanna, Sullivan, Columbia, Monroe, and Wyoming counties.

The Eagles Mere and Laporte Lions Foundation hosts the annual Shop with a Cop in Sullivan and Wyoming counties. The Shop with a Cop program received a $1,500 donation from Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving. The donation is used to purchase Walmart gift cards and are then distributed among Game Wardens and State Troopers to take deserving children shopping for their families for the holidays.

The Special Olympics of Lycoming County received a $2,500 donation from Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving to offset the costs of the annual Frostbite 5 Mile Run and Penguin 5K Walk. The Special Olympics provides sports training and competition opportunities to 130 individuals and their Unified Partners with diverse abilities on an annual basis. The Special Olympics of Lycoming County currently offers 12 different Olympic type individual and team sports for athletes to participate in. Accepting the donation is Richie Dibble, left, Kyle Ferguson, Lester Loner, Brandon Rooker, Patti Loner, and Mathew Carpenter.

The Lending Helping Hands Services received a $5,000 donation to purchase Thanksgiving Crates for senior citizens. Lending Helping Hands provides food, clothing, assist bill payments, and children products for low-income families in the community in Pottstown, Reading, Springfield, Pottsgrove, and Bucks and Montgomery counties. Pictured is Janice Butler, Director.

The Salvation Army of Williamsport received a $2,500 donation from Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving to support the 19th annual Festival of Trees and Red Kettle Campaign. The Festival of Trees is a three-week event and live auction and spotlights up to area businesses and are on display at the Lycoming Mall. The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser to support the programs that The Salvation Army offers to the local community year-round. Miele Amusement’s Christmas tree was a music theme and is inspired by Angelina’s Song with Bose headphones as its incentive.

The Young Men’s Democratic Club, in Williamsport, received a $2,500 donation from Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving. The donation will be used for the Second annual Winter Wonderland for Kids drive through from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 11 on Mulberry Street. The event is free and open to the community. Kids will receive a goody bag, small gift, and can bring their letters to Santa. Pictured at the check passing donation is Rose Wheeland, Board of Directors, left; David Wheeland, Vice President; Sandy Hughes, Treasurer; Jack Bower, of Miele Amusements; and Daleane Zerbe, Co-Chair.

Additional donations in November 2021 included:

• Avis Fire Company No. 1

• Beech Creek American Legion Post 623

• Blair County Community Action Program

• Blair County Pickleball Club

• Boswell Volunteer Fire Dept.

• Central PA Rage Softball Association

• Children's Crisis Treatment Center

• Community Services for Sight

• Cresson Area Lions Club

• DuBoistown Fire Department

• Duquesne Annex Volunteer Fire Co

• Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company

• Families United for Change Foundation

• Friendship Hose Company No. 1, Falls Creek

• Friendship Hose Company, Spring Grove

• Gallatin-Sunnyside Volunteer Fire Department

• Gujarati Samaj of Lehigh Valley

• Home Nursing Agency Foundation

• Hops Kids Corp

• Laporte Vol. Fire Department

• Lower Kiski Ambulance Service - Water Rescue Team

• Lycoming County Historical Society

• Monessen Volunteer Fire Department

• Monroeville VFC No. 5

• Muncy Borough Police Dept.

• Nippenose Valley Volunteer Fire Company

• Nittany Valley Volunteer Fire Co

• Paternostro Cancer Foundation

• Rostraver/West Newton Emergency Services

• Sewickley Township Community Ambulance Service

• Shop with a Cop: Sullivan and Wyoming Counties

• Snow Shoe Fire Co

• Sutersville Volunteer Fire Department

• The Monroe Foundation

• Thrive Ministry, Inc.

• UPMC Home Healthcare of Central PA

• W.B. Konkle Memorial Library

• Warrior Strong Inc.

• West Hazleton Fire Company

• White Oak VFC No. 1

Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving is made up of the hundreds of skill game operators from across the state. It has handed out nearly $2 million since it was created in 2018.