Pennsylvania
How The Baby Bureau is helping Pennsylvania families find essentials for their little ones
There’s nothing more precious than the arrival of a baby.
“Here’s diapers and wipes, then we have the sleepers and onesies,” said Laurieann Tebben.
Tebben is the executive director of The Baby Bureau. She said this year they’ve helped over 10,000 babies.
“It just shows that when parents are receiving the bundle, there’s a community out there who really care and love them,” Tebben said.
Every now and then some families need a little help. Kelly Ramirez said The Baby Bureau was that for her when she gave birth to her son Bentley.
“When I needed it the most, they actually came forward and helped me with a big bag when I got Bentley out of the hospital. It comes with everything,” Ramirez said.
Founded by Fran Wasserman in 2011 as just small stacks of donations to serve underserved communities and at-risk babies, now the organization has grown to fill multiple rooms with goods to last a child up to a year.
Most of their bundles are distributed through social workers, local organizations, and churches like Willow Grove Baptist Church, where Ramirez met food pantry director Rick Beyerle.
Kelly works part time as a waitress and takes care of her five children and two that she adopted. She would visit the pantry Beyerle oversees.
“Since we started it’s been pretty much 50 families a year,” Beyerle said.
That’s 50 more families every year, and with inflation going up, so is the number of people in need.
Ramirez, a busy mother, said she’s grateful for the help of the church and The Baby Bureau, where their bundles aren’t charity, they’re gifts.
“If you are scared, if you are embarrassed, you don’t want to ask for help, you can,” Ramirez said.
To donate gently used baby clothes, you can visit The Baby Bureau.
Pennsylvania
Fans fill Pennsylvania Convention Center for first day of All-Star Village in Philadelphia
WILKES-BARRE — When people think about transportation in Northeastern Pennsylvania, their first thoughts are likely cars and buses.
While those are the most common modes of transportation in the region, an important question is gaining attention among planners, community leaders, and residents alike:
How easy is it to get around NEPA on foot?
A recent report by The Institute examined accessibility and walkability across the region. The findings reveal a region with some highly walkable downtowns and neighborhoods, but also many communities where residents remain heavily dependent on vehicles.
“Walkability refers to how easily people can reach everyday destinations such as stores, restaurants, schools, parks, and health care facilities by walking,” said Jill Avery-Stoss, President and CEO of The Institute, “Factors that influence walkability include street connectivity, proximity to destinations, access to transit, and the strength of the infrastructure network. Walkability supports the resilience, environment, health, and economy of communities.”
Using the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Walkability Index, The Institute confirmed that some of the region’s traditional downtown communities scored the highest.
• In Lackawanna County, communities including Scranton, Carbondale, Old Forge, Jessup, Blakely, Clarks Summit, and Moosic ranked among the county’s most walkable areas.
• In Luzerne County, strong scores were recorded in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Hazleton, Kingston, Forty Fort, Plymouth, Dallas, and Freeland.
• In Wayne County, the boroughs of Honesdale and Hawley emerged as the most walkable locations.
The broader regional picture, however, highlights a continuing dependence on automobiles.
“Most municipalities in Northeast Pennsylvania are categorized as car-dependent, particularly in more rural areas where destinations are spread farther apart, and transportation options are limited,” notes Avery-Stoss.
Data from America Walks, which combines EPA and Census Bureau information to evaluate walkable land use, shows that a majority of residents in all three counties live in areas rated as below-average for walkability.
Approximately 66.4% of Lackawanna County residents, 59.5% of Luzerne County residents, and 53.1% of Wayne County residents live in neighborhoods classified as below-average walkable.
Despite these challenges, Avery-Stoss said there are opportunities for improvement.
She said Northeastern Pennsylvania already benefits from an extensive network of trails and greenways, including the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, the Luzerne County Levee Trail, and other rail-trail systems that support walking, biking, and recreation. Avery-Stoss said investments in sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, trail connections, traffic-calming measures, and transit-oriented development could further improve mobility and quality of life throughout the region.
“While walkability varies significantly from one community to another, many of the region’s most vibrant downtown areas demonstrate what is possible when homes, businesses, parks, and services are located within easy walking distance,” Avery-Stoss said. “As communities continue to invest in transportation and redevelopment projects, walkability is becoming an increasingly important part of how Northeastern Pennsylvania grows and connects its residents to their larger community.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Pennsylvania was recognized as one of the top state pavilions at America’s 250th birthday celebration, receiving one of the event’s “Best in Show” honors during the closing ceremony at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall.
The recognition comes just weeks after Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) partnered with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and a coalition of 55 Pennsylvania organizations, businesses, and industry partners to ensure the Commonwealth had a pavilion at the Great American State Fair. The bipartisan effort was made possible entirely through private partnerships without the use of a single taxpayer dollar.
Joining Senators McCormick and Fetterman in this effort were the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, PennAg Industries Association, and the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association (PMA), alongside more than 50 additional Pennsylvania organizations, businesses, and industry partners whose support helped bring the Commonwealth’s exhibit to life.
“Pennsylvania’s story is America’s story, and this recognition is a tribute to everyone who helped bring that story to life,” said Senator McCormick. “From Independence Hall and Valley Forge to our farms, factories, and innovators, the Commonwealth has shaped our nation for 250 years. I’m grateful to Senator Fetterman, Secretary Rollins, and our outstanding Pennsylvania partners for ensuring Pennsylvania had a presence worthy of our history.”
“I’m incredibly proud of all the Pennsylvanians that showed up to make sure our Commonwealth had the spotlight it deserved right there on the National Mall during America’s 250th birthday. It earned this recognition,” said Senator Fetterman. “What makes Pennsylvania truly awesome are the men, women, and children who call it home. Our farmers, steelworkers, small business owners, and so many more. Those who visited the pavilion got to see a glimpse of some of the very best of us and our history, and I’m grateful to Senator McCormick, Secretary Rollins, and all who made this a massive success.”
The Pennsylvania pavilion highlights the Commonwealth’s central role in America’s story — from the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the sacrifices at Valley Forge to Gettysburg, the Arsenal of Democracy, and the Commonwealth’s continued leadership in agriculture, manufacturing, energy, innovation, and small business. Visitors also explored exhibits featuring many of Pennsylvania’s iconic companies and products, spotlighting the industries and communities driving the Commonwealth’s economy today.
During the closing ceremony, Freedom 250 recognized several outstanding state pavilions from across the country. Pennsylvania received one of the event’s “Best in Show” honors, recognizing the Commonwealth’s exhibit as one of the premier state pavilions at the Great American State Fair.
Representatives from Senator McCormick’s office accepted the Best in Show award during a recognition ceremony on the Freedom Stage Friday afternoon at the Great American State Fair.
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