Cheers & Jeers
Karen Mansfield
Cheers: The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign is in full swing, and donations are even more important this year, given the delay in funding for rent and utility assistance and SNAP funding due to the shutdown of the federal government. Christine Bell, director of the Uniontown branch of the Salvation Army, said bell ringers will be stationed at the Walmart and Hobby Lobby on Walmart Drive, and the Giant Eagle at Fayette Plaza. According to Bell, the Uniontown branch raised more than $36,800 last year and set a goal of $62,000 this year. In a related fundraiser, the TikTok成人版’s Give-A-Christmas campaign supports Salvation Army units in Fayette County through donations from readers, groups and organizations. All of the money received remains in the county, helping residents in need. In its 40th year, the campaign kicks off on Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Eve. Donations are accepted by mail at 8-18 E. Church St., Uniontown, Pa., 15401, or can be dropped off at the newspaper office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Checks should be made payable to Give-A-Christmas.
Cheers: First responders face higher rates of depression, anxiety and burnout compared to the general population. One in 4 first responders suffers from depression, 34% are at risk of suicide, 30% to 40% suffer from substance or alcohol abuse, and police and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than die in the line of duty. In response, Healing Bridges formed a “Responders First Initiative,” a committee that is working to create a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team for Washington County. CISM teams are made up of volunteers that include trained peers – active or retired first responders who have a first-hand understanding of what their fellow first responders go through – and trained mental health professionals. They help first responders manage and recover from the stress of their jobs. “The weight of our jobs can be crushing,” said Deputy Elizabeth Davidson of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, who is part of the Responders First Initiative. “What we want to do is find a way for first responders to get through this and make it less heavy.”
Cheers: The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a surprising start to the season. The team has missed the Stanley Cup playoffs the last three years and haven’t gotten past the first round since 2018. With the departure of head coach Mike Sullivan, who led the Penguins to Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017, and the hiring of former New York Rangers assistant coach Dan Muse, not much was expected from Pittsburgh this season. With aging future Hall of Fame players Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin among the NHL scoring leaders and some surprising contributions from younger players such as 2025 first-round draft pick Ben Kindel and goaltender Sergei Murashov, Pittsburgh was tied for the fourth-best record in the 16-team Eastern Conference with a 10-5-4 record and appear to be a legitimate playoff contender again.