Two Events to Benefit Mill Employees

With employees at Appvion’s Spring Mill plant in their final weeks of employment, the Cove community continues to step up to offer aid to the soon-to-be-displaced workers.

The Albright Church of the Brethren in Roaring Spring is planning a non-perishable food and Easter basket drive for Spring Mill employees and their families.

The church is asking the community for donations to fill the baskets and suggests food, gift cards, Easter basket supplies for children up to 17 years of age, empty Easter baskets and money donations.

The church is asking anyone who is interested in donating to drop off items at the Albright Church of the Brethren, 1245 Bloomfield Road, Roaring Spring, on Tuesday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

All donations will be distributed at the church fellowship hall on Saturday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to Appvion employees who have signed up. Any Appvion employee who would like to be included should call Melissa at (814) 502-0985 or Tammy at (814) 931-9367. When calling, please provide name, phone number and the number of children and their ages.

On March 27, William Straesser, Republican candidate for Blair County prothonotary, is hosting a pulled-pork lunch at the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company Fire Hall.

Tickets for the lunch are $12 per person and $6 for veterans or active military members. Each meal includes pulled pork with a side of macaroni and cheese and baked beans prepared by Frederick’s Meat Market in Roaring Spring. Meals will be distributed at the fire hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. by drive-up only.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Martinsburg Food Bank to help offset the effects on Spring Mill employees who are losing their jobs.

Straesser said that Appvion employees will need time to recover from their sudden job loss and hopes this event will help ease their burden.

“As they begin to recover, I want to do what I can to make certain they can access food,” he said.

Tickets for the lunch can be purchased in person at Frederick’s Meat Market in Roaring Spring, the Morrisons Cove Herald office in Martinsburg, or by sending a direct message through the “Bill Straesser for Prothonotary” Facebook page or calling (814) 569-8774 to have tickets delivered.