Western Pennsylvania Game Changers with Chris Hoke

Chris Hoke and friends

Join former Pittsburgh Steeler and two-time Superbowl champ, Chris Hoke, and his co-hosts, Lisa Mitchell and Tim Campbell, as they talk about charities that are doing great things in Western Pennsylvania and beyond, and how we, as volunteers, can help them. To learn more about the volunteer opportunities discussed on the podcast and many others, go to www.justserve.org. JustServe is a free service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that connects people looking to volunteer in their communities to organizations that could really use their help. So let’s roll up our sleeves, and get to work! read less
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Episodes

Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center; A Volunteer-Powered Solution to the Health Care Crisis
May 23 2021
Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center; A Volunteer-Powered Solution to the Health Care Crisis
We're thrilled to share our 24th episode with you! (Can you believe we've been at this for over two years now? Time flies, for sure!) This month, join Chris, Lisa and special co-host and former Olympic sprinter, Mark Witherspoon, as they get to know Linda Thoma, Director of Operations for the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center, located in Butler, Pennsylvania. CHC, as it's sometimes known, strives "to provide primary healthcare services - services that are needed to keep our patients healthy so they can care for their families, continue to work and be productive members of the community."  Put simply, the Community Health Center works to "fill in the gaps" for those for whom primary healthcare (including basic dental care, behavioral health care and medications) would not otherwise be available. Listen in as Linda explains how she got involved with CHC; how CHC has improved, and continues to improve, the lives of many in the Butler area; and how CHC's work is only possible because of the many, many dedicated medical and non-medical volunteers. Linda and her team are doing incredible work, but they always need more volunteers. That's where you come in -- please listen in to find out how you can help!For more information about volunteering with CHC and a host of other amazing organizations, go to http://justserve.org/. Just type in your zip code to find service opportunities near you!
WPGC Super Volunteer 2020 - Roberta Sciulli
Dec 20 2020
WPGC Super Volunteer 2020 - Roberta Sciulli
Please join us for this special episode, in which we award our 2020 Super Volunteer of the Year Award to Roberta Sciulli! A retired nurse and hospital administrator, Roberta is a powerful force for good in her home-town community of Ambridge, Pennsylvania! Here are just a few of her service highlights: She leads a group called the “Committee to Clean and Beautify Ambridge,” which is “determined to clean and beautify the lovely town of Ambridge.” The group was founded by one her brothers during a time when Ambridge’s “street sweeper” broke – rather than watch the trash pile up, the group decided to do something about it. In addition to regularly hosting clean up events, they plant trees, install and maintain flower beds, and even refurbished a war memorial that had gone into serious disrepair. All things local (ambridgeconnection.com); (4) Committee to Clean and Beautify Ambridge (CCBA) | FacebookShe is on the board of the Ambridge Historic District Economic Development Corporation. (4) Ambridge Historic District EDC | Facebook.She has a son who was injured by an IED while serving overseas with the U.S. Army as an 18-Delta, Special Forces, combat medic. He received an outpouring of love and support during recovery and when he returned home. As a way to give back, she and her family formed a company called Patriot Provisions that sells beef jerky and other snacks, with all proceeds going to the Special Forces Foundation. Patriot Provisions Gives BackShe is very active in her church, where she regularly participates in church bake sale fundraising events, and has been instrumental in developing her parish's youth program.Listen in as Roberta shares her thoughts on service and explains why it is such an important part of her life.  (Be sure to keep listening after the closing music ends -- there's a "bonus feature" of sorts, as you can hear Roberta answer the door to receive a surprise gift!)Don't let Roberta have all the fun! There are a ton of organizations that can use your unique skills and abilities to help them fulfill their missions. To find out more, go to https://www.justserve.org/ (type in your zip code to find service opportunities near you)!
Foster Love Project - Providing Love in Action
Sep 12 2020
Foster Love Project - Providing Love in Action
Welcome to Episode 17! In this episode, Chris, Lisa and Tim are joined by special quest Kelly Hughes, Founder and Executive Director of Foster Love Project. Located in Dormont, Foster Love Project's mission is to "provide love in action to kids in foster care as well as support to the families who are providing care for them" -- and they do a tremendous job!  Sometimes foster families only have a few moments to welcome the arrival of a new foster child into their home. Kelly and her husband have fostered 8 kids and know how challenging that can be for everyone. Kelly started Foster Love Project as a way to make sure kids moving into foster care are given the essentials they need to feel as loved, valued, and safe as possible (think toothbrush, pajamas, stuffed animal, etc.) To date, Foster Love Project has provided 12,000 "placement bags" to kids entering foster care in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Illinois. Foster Love Project's work doesn't end there. From operating a donation center where kids in foster care can shop for free, to providing guidance and support for families caring for foster kids, its work continues to grow! Foster Love Project is dedicated to helping foster kids, but they can't do it without volunteers. Please consider helping them out!For more information about volunteering with Foster Love Project and a host of other organizations, go to https://www.justserve.org/ (type in your zip code to find service opportunities near you)!