Congratulations Gwen Smith, Direct Support Professional of the Quarter! Gwen has been a DSP with Merakey for more than 25 years. Her dedication, reliability, and smile are just a few of the many attributes Gwen shares with the gentlemen at the Merakey Church Road home.

“We are beyond fortunate to have an employee like Gwen,” commented Administrator Donna Stuckey. The DSP of the Quarter award has been made possible through Steven’s Fund to recognize Merakey Allegheny Valley School DSPs.

The fund was created in 2017 in memory of Steven Garlick by his mother Betsy Friedman.

Guardian Protection distributed holiday gifts to more than 180 individuals at the Merakey Allegheny Valley School, Pittsburgh Campus, and Ewings Mill I and II community homes. In addition to providing presents from each person’s wish lists, Guardian employees visited and sang holiday carols. They ended their visit with delicious treats and mocktails from the ladies at Ewings Mill I and II. Special thanks to Guardian's Marketing Specialist Monica Zurawsky, Communications Manager Mary Lynn Moriarity and their entire team for their coordination and tireless efforts!

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Santa and the Greater Mckees Rocks 15136 Rotary Club gave gifts to the individuals who attend Merakey Allegheny Valley School’s Kennedy Program Center in Pittsburgh during a recent visit. The Sto Rox School District High School Student Choir was part of the celebration. They sang several holiday songs in each of the classrooms, where many danced and swayed along to the music. Rotarians and choir members received a homemade ornament from individuals at Kennedy.

The Crafton Ingram Rotary and friends visited the Patricia Hillman Miller Campus and brought gifts for all. The holiday spirit was displayed when everyone joined in to sing Christmas carols.

Both groups received The Terrible Towel® cookie as a thank you for their participation in the holiday celebrations and for making the season brighter for everyone.

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Team members from Merakey AVS Countryview home collected holiday gifts for the youth supported by Merakey in Western PA. Employees were very responsive and incredibly generous, filling donation boxes at several locations. Merakey Foundation Board Member Dorothy Pollon heard about the initiative and was eager to join in, donating a variety of gifts to help brighten the holiday season for so many! Representatives from Merakey’s Behavioral Health and Education and Autism Divisions donated toys, games, coats, gloves, hats and more for the youth in their programs. “This will be a truly amazing holiday season because of this effort,” commented Regional Behavioral Health Director Lori Grimes-Harvey. “We are so grateful!” “I’m blessed to have wonderful coworkers who want to help others have a happy holiday,” commented Countryview House Manager JoAnne Kimble. “I’m thrilled that we can make a difference this year, and already look forward to doing it again in 2020!”

A big thank you to all who Opened Their Heart this holiday season for the youth supported by Merakey programs!

A seasonal community outing to Feeney’s Garden Center and Nursery in Feasterville, PA on December 13 provided an opportunity for the Nursing and Occupational Therapy Departments at Merakey Allegheny Valley School in Philadelphia to display the mission of Enriching lives by providing exceptional services through an individualized approach. The Core Value of Compassion was also demonstrated by the group when they made a donation to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House during their visit. Everyone in attendance participated in a wonderfully varied “sensory” holiday experience!