Archived News & Events, January 2021

More than 180 Merakey AVS family members, friends and staff gathered on Zoom for a town hall meeting on January 14. Following brief presentations by Merakey CEO Joe Martz, President and COO Ted Dallas, EVP and Managing Director for IDD Services Terry McNelis, VP of Administrative and Professional Services for IDD Services Sherri Portnoy, Executive Medical Director and VP of Medical Affairs Dr. Laura Murray and others, the group responded to questions about COVID-19, the vaccine, visitation, our programs, and more. Thanks to all who participated!

The ladies at Ewings Mill I at Merakey AVS continue to show their crafty side by making sock snowmen. They also made homemade snow foam to sculpt. Great job, ladies, and terrific way to spend these cold winter days.

To brighten up the holiday season, Communications Specialist Daria Tauber created a video of past December celebrations for the individuals who attend Merakey’s Kennedy and Zapp Centers at Merakey AVS. Although they couldn’t be together to celebrate in 2020, it was fun to watch highlights from past holiday parties!

Congratulations Heidi Crisp, Merakey AVS Central PA DSP of the Quarter! Heidi was surprised to learn she won the award, and very happy and appreciative of the staff who nominated her. Heidi commented about the love she has for the individuals she supports, and they are the reason she has done this for 20 years. Thank you, Heidi, for putting your heart and soul into exceptional care!

The DSP of the quarter award has been made possible through Steven’s Fund to recognize Merakey AVS Direct Support Professionals in Central PA. The fund was created in 2017 in memory of Steven Garlick by his mother Betsy Friedman. To contribute to the fund, visit https://avs.merakey.org/donate-now and include “Steven’s Fund” in the “other” and/or “comments / instructions” box.

Carol Erzen and the Staff Development Team shares encouraging words about the COVID-19 vaccine. Thank you, Carol and team!

The ladies from Ewings Mill I at Merakey AVS in Pittsburgh, PA turned their living room into a bowling alley to play a few games and cheer-on each other.

Great job, ladies!

Kevin from Great Oaks at Merakey AVS in Pittsburgh got into the winter spirit by building a snowman at his home. Great job, Kevin!

The ladies from Merakey AVS’s Galey Home have had a very busy month. They celebrated birthdays, decorated for the holidays and made gingerbread houses.

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During Zoom sessions, individuals who attend Kennedy and Zapp Centers at Merakey AVS participated in a special volunteer holiday project making cards for children who are hospitalized. More than 100 beautiful cards were made and sent to Cards for Hospitalized Kids.

The project was started by an 11-year old girl named Jen Rubino who was hospitalized during Christmas time. Jen was inspired to create cards for other hospitalized kids after receiving a card from a hospital volunteer. In March 2011, Jen and her friends began making cards to distribute to sick children in local hospitals; she founded Cards for Hospitalized Kids later that year. The cards are made by volunteers locally, across the nation, and worldwide. According to Jen Rubino, even this small gesture for kids struggling with illness in the hospital means so much.

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Individuals from the Hookstown, Green Garden and Patterson homes at Merakey AVS had a fun time decorating gingerbread houses. Great job, everyone!

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