WHAT ’ S NEWS IN WEST ALLEGHENY
A WILD SUMMER BEGINS AT WACL
Summer at the Western Allegheny Community Library ( WACL ) is going to be wild ! Last year ’ s Summer Learning Programs were a great success . This year , WACL is ramping up the fun to another level . More camps . More mess ! More art ! More action ! More opportunities to learn , have fun and discover ! WACL is offering a preview of what it ’ s doing on Saturday , May 20 . The library will be abuzz with science and art programs
for all ages so you can see what summer at the library will look like . The Carnegie Science Center will also be there for some amazing programs all day long . All free ! The three-day summer camps are also free !
WACL ’ s Summer Learning Kickoff is Friday , June 2 , from 6 to 8 p . m ., with games , food and fun for the whole family ! Camps begin June 12 . You ’ ll find everything you need to know in the summer newsletter and on the website in early May . Sponsorship opportunities are still available . If you ’ re interested in sponsoring one of WACL ’ s programs or camps , contact Amy McDonald at McDonalda @ einetwork . net .
There are many new things to look forward to at the library . The most noticeable change is the construction of the “ Backyard ”— the library ’ s new outdoor space expected to open late spring or early summer , depending on the weather .
CLEARVIEW RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER WITH $ 2,500 DONATION
Clearview Federal Credit Union recently honored Alexis ( Lexi ) Campbell , the winner of the 9th Annual Joseph C . Cirelli Community Service Award , during an award and donation presentation .
Campbell , who was nominated for the award by her mother-in-law , is the founder and director of Camp Cranium , a weeklong overnight summer camp for kids ages 6-18 who have experienced a traumatic or acquired brain injury .
She began volunteering at medical camps when she was 18 , and came to realize that camps can reach children with medical issues in a way that no other resources can . Because there were no similar camps offered in her local community , Campbell decided to start her own camp in 2007 and said it is the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania .
Camp Cranium ’ s goal is to provide an experience where “ extraordinary kids can do extraordinary things ” by promoting independence , improving self-esteem , and allowing the campers to form lifelong bonds with others experiencing similar struggles . For a week during each summer , children who have had a traumatic brain injury or stroke have the unique opportunity to meet other children with brain injuries in a safe , supportive and fun environment . Over the past nine years , the camp has grown from originally hosting 24 campers to hosting approximately 60 campers and 90 volunteers each June .
In honor of Campbell ’ s hard work , Clearview is making a $ 2,500 donation to Camp Cranium , which will use it to expand its web presence by redeveloping the organization ’ s website and offering
online chat sessions . This will help form a well-established online presence and improve communication with parents of children with brain injuries , as well as other community providers .
“ Our Board of Directors decided that the money from the Joseph C . Cirelli Community Service Award is being put toward our new website because we do feel that , although that one week of camp each year is amazing and helps them get through the rest of the year , we want to be able to provide services to them throughout the entire year , and this is the first step ,” Campbell said .
The Joseph C . Cirelli Community Service Award was created to recognize a person who provides outstanding volunteer service to his or her community . The award is named in honor of former Clearview President / CEO Joseph Cirelli who served the credit union for 35 years .
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