The festive season is alive and well in the Juniata River Valley, with holiday cheer spreading in a variety of heartwarming ways.
Kaye-Raye Hepler of Milroy is fully prepared for Christmas, proudly sharing, “Everything is all wrapped and under the tree!” Meanwhile, many others in the area are either hustling to stores with extended holiday hours or eagerly awaiting the arrival of last-minute packages.
A particularly exciting holiday delivery came in the form of a van loaded with brand-new bikes for the Every Kid Rides Project. This initiative, which recently unveiled the SteelWorx Pump Track in Burnham, has already distributed all the bikes to children who applied for assistance. Shannon McGonigle, a spokesperson for the project, confirmed that all bikes have been given away to deserving kids. Carli Russler, a co-founder of the project, was present to personally distribute the bikes.
At Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, staff members are ensuring that the holiday spirit remains strong, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Alex Betz, a registered nurse, dresses up for the occasion to bring smiles to both patients and coworkers. “It’s important to bring holiday cheer, especially since the holidays can be tough for many people, particularly those who find themselves in the hospital,” Betz said. “I always try to bring joy to those around me, especially my patients.”
Hospital administrators recognize the sacrifices made by healthcare workers during the holiday season. Inpatient teams give up time with their families to spread holiday joy through small but meaningful gestures, like playing Christmas music, distributing candy canes, or simply offering a comforting presence.
Dr. Sunmeet Singh, of Geisinger-Lewistown’s Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, emphasizes the importance of reaching out to those in need, especially during the holiday season. “Even just a few minutes of your time can make a difference for someone who is struggling,” Singh noted.
As Christmas approaches, weather forecasters are predicting the possibility of a white Christmas for the region. An inch of snow is expected to blanket the area by Christmas morning, with snow expected to linger through Wednesday. A weak weather system moving through on Tuesday could bring an additional inch of snow to parts of the state, with the Juniata River Valley sitting on the cusp of this system.
The holiday season in the Juniata River Valley is filled with acts of kindness, generosity, and festive spirit, from the exchange of bikes to the efforts of hospital staff and the anticipation of a snowy Christmas day.
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