Jodi Helman holds check by a scale at Gold's Gym south York.

Personal trainer Jodi Helman, fitness manager at Gold’s Gym in SouthYork wanted to encourage gym members to stick with their fitness goals through the holidays so she initiated an eight-week challenge to stay true to their work outs during the traditional Thanksgiving to New Year’s period of overindulgence.

Knowing there were people in her community who struggled to find their next meal, Helman added an extra touch to her challenge: she asked the 15 members who signed up to find people who would sponsor them in their efforts to decrease their percentage of body fat, with the money they earned being donated to help homeless York County families.

The end of the challenge resulted not only in leaner participants but a total of $435 donated to Bell Family Shelter.

As the weather got colder, Helman said, she couldn’t stand the thought that there were families who may be sleeping in their cars – or on the street – right here in York. She thanked her managers for supporting her efforts to reach out to the community and hopes this example will encourage others to help people, too.

As the Substance Abuse Specialist of Bell’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, Halvorson’s accreditation comes from the Pennsylvania Certification Board, a private, non-profit corporation which offers state-level credentialing for substance abuse and other behavioral health professionals.

Congratulations, Sharon!

Volunteer coordinator Janel Fox quickly realized a group of 40 might best be put to work helping Bell’s social enterprise affiliate, Re-Source York, get their store in order to welcome customers at the new location on E. Ninth Avenue.  With a very busy end-of-year push to transfer all the contents of the building and renovation supply warehouse from its former location on Beaver Street, there was plenty to be sorted, organized, cleaned and moved around.

Thirty nine credit union employees brought their cheerful dispositions, muscles, and willingness to pitch in, arriving about 1pm on Monday, January 16. Store Manager Nikki Hunger Eckenrode welcomed the group and quickly set them to a variety of tasks.  Being a revenue generator for Bell is one of the mission goals of Re-Source York, as well as keeping usable home improvement materials out of the landfill and providing jobs for low income individuals (including service users of Bell’s vocational rehabilitation program).

Many thanks to the entire HVFCU group for lending your time and service — a lot was accomplished with your help. (more photos on the Bell Facebook page)

The HVFCU cre:  Timothy Ames, Jennifer Anderson, Roxann Bare, Devan Bohnert, Kelly Caron, Jennie Clark, Jessica Darr, Amanda Derby, Andrew Doerr, Thomas Ernst, Rose Figdore, E. Jane Gee, Lana Gracey, Rita Greenawalt, Renae Grissinger, Michael Gutshall, Bonnie Heming, Amanda Hoff, Nathan Hurlbert, Tara Kochansky, Jennifer Kline, Katie LalicErin Miller, Cory Norwood, Kimberly Reigh, Kristina Rose, Melissa Runkle, Yasmin Stephens, Donna Shultz, Melissa Shultz, Meryl Shoemaker, Karen Steinfelt, Jeremey Sterner, Hayley Thompson, Amanda Trout, Kathy Wisotzkey, Barbara Wright, Kay Zaleski

Engel recently assumed the role of assistant program coordinator for the Community Residential Apartment Services (CRAS) program. She was nominated by her supervisor who believes she is a great addition to the management team. She is applauded for working hard to raise the bar and holding her staff accountable to meet high quality standards.

Could you make a  difference through a job like Yvette’s? See our Current Job Openings at Bell.

The team served four individuals in this behavioral management home, one of 14 community living homes in Bell’s intellectual disability residential services program.

Congratulations to Luz (Luce) Aponte, Eugene Shaw, Isha McClean, Eric Osborne, Kimberly Long, Michelle Barton, Lavasia Malone, and James Landis.

 Williams is a Residential Service Worker at the Leader Heights intellectual disability group home and was nominated by her supervisor.  She has been a steadfast caregiver for eight years to the three gentlemen who live in the home and can be counted on to be there whatever situation may arise, always assuring quality care to support the residents.

Could you make a  difference through a direct care position, like Peggy’s? See our Current Job Openings at Bell.

Sailer, a Resident Counselor, was nominated by a coworker for being an amazing morale booster.  In addition to her ever-present smile and sense of humor and her willingness to do whatever needs to be done (often without being asked), she initiated an art program with a variety of projects to encourage involvement of staff and Shelter and Bridge program residents.

Could you make a  difference through a job like Jen’s? See our Current Job Openings at Bell.

• Adhesives Research
• Crispus Attucks Early Learning Center
• The Early Learning Center
• Eastminster Presbyterian Church Knitting Group
• Kids First Daycare
• Liberty Mutual
• Manheim Elementary School
• Messiah UMC
• Osram Sylvania Employees Association
• Pine Grove Presbyterian Church
• Pleasureville UMC youth group
• Roundtown Elementary School
• St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church
• St. Matthew’s Lutheran Group Sewing Group
• United Way of York County staff
• York County Planning Commission
• York Co. Adult Probation staff
• York Young Professionals
• Yorkhaven Elementary School
• Zion Lutheran Church youth group

Pictured above withLamendola is Bell’s director of community relations and development, Averie Clark.