Valley 1st Community FCU gives back

Salvation Army Mon Valley Worship and Service Center Capt. Kara Martin, far left, is joined by (from left) Valley 1st Community Federal Credit Union representatives Rick Nagel, vice president of lending, Lisa Bezuski, vice president of operations, and Lauren Bowker, chief financial officer, along with Salvation Army volunteer Francisco Maldonado, as the credit union in Monessen presented a $1,000 donation and carloads of food and household goods Friday afternoon for the nonprofit organization based in Donora. Due to the federal shutdown, the organization has seen an increase in calls for help from local residents. Donations can be dropped off from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. They cannot accept refrigerated and frozen food from people’s home refrigerators due to safety codes, but they can receive store-bought items, monetary donations and gift cards to help purchase food items. Tickets will be available at the door for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle kickoff dinner fundraiser set for 5 p.m. Thursday at St. Spyridon Hellenic Center, 1205 Grand Blvd., Monessen. The $40 donation includes a catered dinner from By George, music and dancing, a basket auction and raffles. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent