There is no doubt that 2020 has been quite the year. Probably the most memorable of most of our lifetimes. To make things even more interesting, this is actually our 53rd issue of the year, which I had to double-check the calendar to see if that was even possible! Also, due to how the calendar falls, this is actually our 2nd charity pages/New Year’s edition of the year! Crazy right?

So let’s end 2020 on a good note. One that celebrates local organizations that are working hard to support our community in a variety of ways!

This week’s issue is just one of the many ways Jimmy helps people and our community in the course of a year. I don’t think he gets enough ‘thank yous’ for it. So, before we get to what’s happening in this issue, I want to say thank you to Jimmy. You do a lot for our community that goes unseen and even though you don’t want to be — you should be recognized for that. Thank you.

So, on to the details about this week’s issue:

For the past five years, Jimmy has given each full-time employee a page of the paper to donate to the charity of their choice. We all get to pick something that is near and dear to us and donate ad space, editorial space, or a combination of both.

As you can see on the cover, we have a wide variety of organizations from across the area that we donated space to this week. I’m sure that you are familiar with most, and you can learn about what they do in more detail as you read through this issue, but here is a quick rundown:

Beckoning Cat Project: They believe that the problem of “too many cats and not enough homes” can be addressed through educational outreach, coordination of services, and a comprehensive neuter-spay program that reaches all cats in our neighborhoods.

Clinton County SPCA: The Clinton County SPCA is a small, no-kill animal shelter located in Lock Haven. They work every day to protect the legion of animals suffering from cruelty, abuse, neglect, and abandonment each year. They cannot accomplish their life-saving work without your support.

Consolidated Sportsman of Muncy Creeks: The Sportsmen manage two trout nurseries in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at the Faus Nursery in Hughesville and the Bob King Nursery at Roaring Run.

Family Promise of Lycoming County: Family Promise of Lycoming County empowers families to become and remain self-sufficient by breaking the cycle of homelessness, provides community awareness and advocacy, and creates mission opportunities for individuals and faith based communities.

Gold Star Families: America’s Gold Star Families honors our fallen heroes who served in the United States Armed Forces and cares for their survivors through programs and services at no cost to the survivors.

Hunters Sharing the Harvest: Hunters Sharing the Harvest is Pennsylvania’s venison donation program for hunters who share their extra venison via a statewide network of participating butchers to food pantries and community assistance centers across Pennsylvania. HSH has distributed 1.5 million pounds of donated venison since 1991.

March of Dimes: March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. They carry out this mission through research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies’ lives.

Multiple Sclerosis Society: Helping people affected by MS to live their best lives as they stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost, and end MS forever.

Each of these charities means something to the employee that sponsored them. They are all amazing local organizations that are doing what they can to help in our area.

So, thank you again, Jimmy. Doing things like this makes me so proud to be a Webb Weekly employee. I hope that as you read through the ads/editorials about these charities, you will consider adding them to your 2021 donation lists if you are able.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Do you have your resolutions ready to go?

Listen, as of this writing, I’m still working on finishing Christmas stuff, so I’ll probably get to resolutions sometime around March!

I have some thoughts of getting back to my yoga mat and consuming a few less carbs, but we’ll see how that goes too! I do have some thoughts about a new tattoo that would certainly be a bit cuter if my arms were in a little better shape, so maybe that’s the motivation I will need…

Obviously, we won’t be headed out to ring in the New Year, but please be safe. Holidays like New Year’s have a way of bringing out the worst in people, so in addition to taking care of yourself, keep an eye on those around you. Not only for your safety but also for theirs. It’s easy to think that it isn’t your responsibility to ‘babysit’ others, but wouldn’t it be worth it if it saves their life or someone else’s?

Please — please — make sure you don’t drink and drive. Download the Uber or Lyft apps before you head out so you can get a safe ride home.

Be safe y’all!