$4,000 Donation

Dennis Simmers, CCEF president, accepts a $4,000 donation from First National Bank . Next to him, (l to r) are Beth Ann Lombardi, CCEF Secretary, and Candy Long, CCEF board member, and Kim Flanders, bank Area Manager.

John Letizia Named to Central Cambria Education Foundation Board

John Letizia, President of Laurel Medical Supplies, has been named to the board of directors of the Central Cambria Education Foundation by a unanimous vote of the board at its March meeting. The Central Cambria Education Foundation is the nonprofit, fund-raising arm of the Central Cambria School District.

Letizia is a lifelong resident of the district who, along with his wife Angela, has two children, Maria and John, in elementary school.

"It was an honor to be asked to join the foundation," said Letizia. "Their mission is to support excellence in learning by helping to finance educational programs, activities, and projects in the school district. Few causes could be more worthy. I'm looking forward to working with the other members of the governing body to accomplish all that we can for the students of Central Cambria."

Letizia completes the nine-member board required by the nonprofit entity's bylaws. He joins Candy Long, Rich Bauer, Michele Bonerigo, Dennis Simmers, board president; Wendy DeYulis, vice president; Beth Ann Lombardi, secretary; Randy Seymour, treasurer; and John Kimball, Chair.

First Commonwealth Bank Donates Thousands to Central Cambria

Photo: Wendy DeYulis (left), Senior Vice President/Trust Officer of First Commonwealth Bank and Vice President of the Central Cambria Education Foundation, accepts a $2,500 donation for the students of Central Cambria School District from Elaine Bonanno, Office Manager, First Commonwealth.

First Commonwealth Bank, Ebensburg Office, has donated $2,500 to the Central Cambria Education Foundation, the nonprofit, fund-raising arm of the Central Cambria School District. Funds were made available through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program through which qualifying businesses can contribute a portion of their state taxes.

"Through Pennsylvania's EITC Program, qualified businesses can make donations to the Central Cambria Education Foundation and receive tax credits equal to a percentage of their gift," says Wendy DeYulis, vice president of the Central Cambria Education Foundation board of directors and Senior Vice President/Trust Officer, First Commonwealth Bank.

The Central Cambria Education Foundation is an approved Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) in the EITC program. Gifts through the EIO program have enabled the foundation to provide more than 1,500 students with educational opportunities such as summer science, theater, art, and math programs that would just not be available any other way DeYulis explains.

"First Commonwealth is proud to support the community, and does so in many ways. This particular contribution allows us to enhance educational opportunities for children, in effect, by re-directing state tax dollars. The EITC program is an excellent way for you to donate and keep tax money working locally for a cause that you define," DeYulis says.

A company interested in giving to the Central Cambria Education Foundation through the EITC Program must complete an application form, which is available by calling the Department of Community and Economic Development at (717) 787-7120 or visiting their Web site at www.newpa.com.

Winners of the 2nd Annual CCHS Writing Festival

Winners of the second annual CCHS Writing Festival, April 18, 2009, from left to right: Sadie Smith, eighth grade poetry; CCMS; CCHS Winners--Seniors-Alexis Sobecky, Poetry; Mitchell Mercik, Feature Story ;Kurt Kretchman, Song/Lyric; Sloane Shearman, Short Story. Each student received a $75.00 cash award and a certificate of accomplishment from the CC Education Foundation.

Jackson Elementary Library Fundraiser Set for May 9; Steeler Tickets and Football to be Raffled at Dinner

A raffle for two Pittsburgh Steeler tickets and an autographed James Harrison football is just one of the highlights planned for a fundraising dinner that will be held from 7 pm to 11 pm on Saturday, May 9, at Pit Stop 271 to benefit the library at Jackson Elementary School. Tickets for the dinner are $20 per person and can be purchased at Jackson Elementary, The Vinco Pharmacy, Pit Stop 271 or from any member of the volunteer committee that is organizing the event.

"Ticket sales will end May 2," said Doug Weigel, a member of the newly formed Jackson Elementary Library Fund Committee. "The donation for the ticket will be $20 per person, and this will include dinner, entertainment by John Stiffler, and entry into a prize raffle. We will be raffling off Pirate tickets, Curve tickets, restaurant gift certificates, pro and college sports team memorabilia and more. The Steeler tickets and autographed football will be included in a separate raffle."

Weigel said the goal of the fundraiser is to help make the Jackson Elementary Library one of the best in the region.

"The school district has decided to renovate the library," he noted. "They will be making it larger for the students and upgrading the collection of books. We would like to enhance the district's efforts by holding a fundraiser to provide more books and resources to fill up this added space. The library is extremely important in early childhood education. Reading is the foundation that will help carry students through the rest of their educational careers at Central Cambria and beyond. For this reason, we have put a volunteer committee together that's dedicated to enhancing this important resource for children."

Members of the Jackson Elementary Library Fund Committee are Craig and Tracy Gibson, John and Angela Letizia, Keith and Cathy Gilkey, Doug and Stacy Weigel, and Linette Duman.

Checks should be payable to Central Cambria Education Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising arm of the school district, with "Jackson Elementary Library Fund" in the memo section.

"If you are unable to attend the dinner, donations of any amount can be made to the Central Cambria Education Foundation/Jackson Library Fund," said Weigel. "These donations are tax deductible and can be mailed to the Education Foundation at PO Box 624, Ebensburg, PA 15931.

"Each donation is appreciated and will be put to optimal use to benefit students."