FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jackie Herbstritt
Community Education Center of
Elk & Cameron Counties
Phone: 814-781-3437
Email: jackie@communityedcenter.com
Leadership Elk & Cameron is Planning the First-Ever
“Healthcare & Social Services Staff Appreciation Party” at Straub Brewery Tap Room on May 21
(St. Marys, PA) – In honor of the hard work that our area’s hundreds of healthcare and social services
employees put into making our local communities healthier and safer, one of the Community
Education Center of Elk & Cameron Counties (CEC) 2024/2025 Leadership Elk & Cameron (LEC)
groups is organizing the first-ever “Healthcare & Social Services Staff Appreciation Party” at Straub
Brewery Tap Room (444 Brusselles St., St. Marys, PA) on Wednesday, May 21, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The numerous healthcare and social services employees encouraged to attend include doctors,
nurses, aides, paramedics, EMTs, 911 operators, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health specialists,
funeral directors, and everyone of any job description—such as administrative staffs, custodians and
maintenance, volunteers, etc.—who works within our local hospitals and healthcare facilities, nursing
homes, mental health organizations, funeral homes, community-based healthcare and social services
organizations, and beyond.
The event will also celebrate the launch of “The 988 Coin,” which is a collaboration between the St.
Marys Area High School’s Dutch Manufacturing students, John Schlimm, and the CEC in partnership
with the Cameron/Elk Suicide Prevention Task Force, who will all serve as co-hosts of the event with
the LEC group and Straub Brewery. The participating LEC group members are Missy Cheatle, Isaac
Gradl, Danielle Charney, Emma Coppolo, and Amanda Cook.
“Throughout the last year of Leadership Elk and Cameron, our group has learned so much about our
local communities and the people who make them special,” said the LEC group in a joint statement.
“As we explored the different industries in our region, we were introduced to the Dutch
Manufacturing class and the Cameron/Elk Suicide Prevention Task Force. ‘The 988 Coin’ project struck
us as something totally worthwhile, and we volunteered our help wherever we could. With this coin,
all of us who are involved are ultimately trying to spread awareness of the hotline and show support
for people who are struggling. The care that has been taken in creating this project is truly incredible.”
In addition to food specials, giveaways, and activities, every healthcare and social services staff
member attending the “Healthcare & Social Services Staff Appreciation Party” will receive 2
complimentary tokens—provided by Straub Brewery and the CEC—for Straub Beer or other drinks of
choice. Attendees will also receive specially-designed swag bags containing “The 988 Coin” and other
items.
All healthcare and social services employees are welcome to arrive anytime during the “Healthcare &
Social Services Staff Appreciation Party.” Reservations are not necessary, but are suggested (by calling
Straub Visitor Center and Tap Room at 814-834-2876).
The mission of Leadership Elk & Cameron is to educate its participants in the strengths and
weaknesses of the region in order to develop informed, civic-oriented volunteers to help direct the
future of Elk and Cameron Counties.
This hands-on program is open to anyone over the age of 18 who lives or works in Elk or Cameron
County. The class meets on the second Wednesday of each month from September to June. LEC
provides a view of the inner workings of Elk and Cameron Counties from the environment, the arts,
education, health and human services, tourism, communication skills, government structure, history,
public issues and personal leadership styles. The program sessions are held in various locations in Elk
and Cameron Counties and includes a trip to Harrisburg. Interested candidates can apply for next
year’s class online at http://www.communityedcenter.com.
For more information, call the CEC at 814-781-3437 or email cec@communityedcenter.com
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, immediate and nonjudgmental help is available.
Please call or text 988.
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