[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 135 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H3987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THANK YOU TO PA-15 CONSTITUENTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight 
several of my constituents who have gone out of their way to make a 
positive impact during the coronavirus pandemic.
  Over the past few months, it has been easy to feel surrounded by 
nothing but negative news. In an effort to highlight the good news that 
we weren't seeing enough of, I started a social media campaign called 
PA-15 Cares. PA-15 Cares highlights all of the volunteers who have gone 
above and beyond during this pandemic to lend a helping hand, to help 
their neighbors in need, and to brighten the spirits of all those 
impacted by COVID-19. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a few 
examples of those who rose to the occasion during this pandemic.
  Many chose to make masks for frontline workers, including high school 
student Morgan McConnell of Cambria County. While her school was 
closed, Morgan made good use of her time and made more than 500 masks 
in just the first week. It is her way of helping others, and she has 
given many of the masks to local hospital employees free of charge.
  Selfless small business owners, even those who may be struggling 
financially as a result of the pandemic, have stopped to ask: How can I 
help?
  Rick Ardini, owner of Rik-N-Nik's restaurant in Ebensburg, has 
provided countless meals for those out of work, children, the elderly, 
and anyone else who needed them. He also gave great advice: ``Talk to 
each other, learn about each other, spend some time, and play some 
games. Be a family. Slow life down.''
  Another small business which also happens to be in Ebensburg has been 
providing a critical service for the first responders. SERVPRO 
partnered with the Dauntless Volunteer Fire Department to provide free 
cleaning and sanitation services for emergency response vehicles.
  The Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania have also stepped up to give 
back to their community. They have started a Hometown Heroes program to 
give free cookies to frontline workers, including medical 
professionals, first responders, nursing home staff, the Army National 
Guard, and more.
  Lastly, I would like to highlight Samantha Schrecengost of 
Punxsutawney. Samantha, a Senior Corps volunteer, and the folks at 
Community Action started a Phone-A-Friend program for seniors. Due to 
COVID-19, many elderly Americans have been cut off from loved ones, and 
isolation can take a mental and emotional toll. Volunteers of the 
Phone-A-Friend program call seniors two to three times a week to check 
in, see how they can be helpful, and just share a few minutes of 
friendly conversation with our seniors.
  Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged to see how the communities in my 
district have come together in such an unprecedented time of crisis to 
find a way to support one another.

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