TORCH RUN The inaugural Hometown Torch Run, [1] organized by the Mt. Lebanon Police Department and Mt. Lebanon School District, raised $6,200 for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. It was the largest local torch run ever hosted in the state.
FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP Are you the family member of someone with mental illness and looking for support? In family support groups, members share their personal experiences (the good and the bad), coping strategies, advice on navigating the mental health system, and more. Most importantly, group participants receive support and validation from one another. Mt. Lebanon Social Services Coordinator Jaqui Stilson is looking for interested participants and group facilitators. The groups are peer-led, not led by a therapist or mental health professional, so anyone can be trained to lead. If you’re interested in the group or would like more information, please contact ssc@mtlebanon.org [2].
GOLD HELMET The Mt. Lebanon Fire Department was named a Gold Helmet Department by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Only 195 departments nationally have gold helmet status, which is earned when at least 50 percent of a department’s active firefighters have signed up for the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer, the largest effort to date to study and reduce cancer rates in the fire service.
PACE YOURSELVES If the roads are wet, pay particular attention to metal surfaces, painted traffic markings, wet leaves and oil slicks as all are especially slippery.
DECORATE MINDFULLY It’s the most wonderful time of the year — don’t let a fire ruin it. Don’t put flammable holiday decorations near fireplaces or candles. Garland, paper crafts, tinsel and other common winter décor are festive, but only at a distance from flames.
SNOW SEASON Mt. Lebanon’s snow ordinance requires residential sidewalks to be cleared within 24 hours following the end of a snowfall of more than one inch. Businesses have four hours to clear their sidewalks. For seniors and others who may have trouble keeping their sidewalks clear, the municipality has a program called Snow Angels, matching volunteer snow shovelers with residents who need to have the sidewalks in front of their homes cleared. Residents should register for the program as early as possible. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, or be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and must commit to taking at least one household for the winter. Volunteers must bring their own equipment. The municipality is not responsible for providing the service, but will act as a clearinghouse, matching volunteers with residents. You can find more information on the program at mtlebanon.org/snowangels [3], or by calling 412-343-7032.