Posted on April 24, 2025
Every volunteer hour on our behalf helps improve the lives of the people we support.
Gregory Miller President/CEO Penn-Mar Human Services
Back in 1991 President George H. W. Bush launched his “1000 Points of Light” campaign to praise volunteerism and individualism. He established April as National Volunteer Month to encourage individuals to engage in volunteerism and acknowledge the impact that volunteers have on communities.
As we celebrate the contributions of volunteers across the country, I would like to recognize those who give their time and energy throughout the year to Penn-Mar, as well as the people we support who are helping other community organizations fulfill their missions with the same spirit of generosity.
Penn-Mar Board of Directors
As the leader of this organization, I rely heavily on our volunteer Board members who give of their time, talent and treasure to a mission that has truly captured their hearts. They attend regular meetings to address current issues and future dreams and make themselves available any time I need to call on their valuable counsel. These are wonderful, selfless people who help our organization grow and prosper.
Annual Penn-Mar Gala Volunteers
Our 33rd Annual Gala in March raised over $575,000, supported by a loyal, experienced and passionate group of volunteers who worked behind the scenes and on the ground to make it a highly anticipated and impactful community celebration. Their in-kind contributions, along with ticket sales, sponsorships and auction item revenue provide the critical dollars we need for programs not supported by government funding.
Corporate and Local Business Volunteer Partners
Northrop Grumman volunteers formed a partnership with Change Inc., now part of Penn-Mar, that has helped us beautify our office spaces, grounds and community homes. With power tools at the ready, their enthusiastic and talented crews have transformed spaces, washed a fleet of cars, and hosted a workplace tour and luncheon at their offices for the people we support.
Bank of America volunteers have been giving their time and talent since 2023, committing to 3-4 projects each year. They too have helped with many landscaping and beautification projects as well as providing staffing for our Carnival. The company is looking to expand their volunteer activities in 2025, and we are grateful and excited to welcome them back again.
Hemisphere Financial reached out to us in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, delivering boxes of pizza for our staff working round the clock to support people in our community homes. Teaming up with the local community, they helped build a fence for a person we support, have pitched in for landscaping and beautification projects, and sponsored a Halloween event at our Far Hills facility.
Families and Friends of PMHS have been dedicated to volunteer events focused on appreciation gifts and Service Award Certificates for our hard-working team members. This enthusiastic group of family members and friends love the people we support and value the team members that care for their loved ones.
Some of the people Penn-Mar supports are also out in the community giving their time to worthy organizations.
In March, Barb Moore, Matt Wolk, and Melanie Fisher volunteered at the York County Food Bank.
For over a year, Mark Georgetti, Melanie Fisher, Jay Griffin, and Jimmy Dietrich have been volunteering at ReStore in Westminster for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity International, Inc.
Dave Peak volunteered stuffing envelopes for Caring Communities’ World of Possibilities Disabilities Expo! to be held on May 3. The organization offers disability-related training, education, publications and events for adults with disabilities, their families and caregivers.
Regardless of the activity or need in the organization, the bottom line is that every volunteer hour spent on behalf of Penn-Mar is directly helping to improve the lives of the people we support.
Every moment shared helps foster a sense of inclusion and community, whether it’s assisting with events, landscaping and beautification projects, working with our Customized Employment team, or hosting those we support at workplace events.
Please join me in giving a shoutout to all these volunteers for their heroic and selfless efforts as we close out this National Volunteer Month.
