Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
(From left) Commissioner Todd Graybill and Commissioner Alice Gray present board member of the American Red Cross, Gary Langsdale, and Director of Service to the Armed Forces, Ryan Erdman, with a proclamation. (Far right) Commissioner Mark Partner joined his fellow commissioners in presenting Tuesday’s proclamation.

MIFFLINTOWN — Representatives of The American Red Cross were presented with a proclamation Tuesday from the Juniata County Commissioners during their weekly board meeting. Officials recognized March 2025 as American Red Cross month.

The Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross is part of the 61-county Greater Pennsylvania Region and serves Adams, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, and York counties.

From installing smoke alarms to being the first on the scene during house fires and other disasters, the American Red Cross provides relief and tools to help those in need.

Their service to the Armed Forces includes but is not limited to American Red Cross volunteers visiting veterans at local VA hospitals.

Each year, the organization holds more than 5,000 blood drives right here in Pennsylvania to collect and distribute more than 112,000 blood products to patients in need.

They also help prepare individuals for these drives and distributions in emergencies.

One way the American Red Cross prepares folks is with a program designed for children ages 5 through 8 known as “Prepare with Pedro.”

This free interactive preparedness program aims to increase awareness and understanding of natural hazards, teach safety and emotional coping skills, as well as the importance of personal preparedness.

Each student receives a digital storybook and is encouraged to share what they have learned with family and friends.

A program geared towards adults is also available, providing free emergency preparedness training. Join trained Red Cross subject matter experts and learn how to make or build a preparedness kit, make an emergency plan with your family, and learn what to do before, during, and after all types of disasters, including house fires.

For more information on these and all that the American Red Cross does for our community, follow them on Facebook or check out their website at www.redcross.org.

Mike Hannon, executive director of Tri-County Drug and Alcohol Services, was also in attendance during the meeting to inform commissioners that his organization has an opioid advisory council meeting tomorrow regarding additional funds they received from the Walmart settlement.

At that meeting, Tri-County Drug and Alcohol Services will discuss how it will distribute those settlement funds.

The Walmart funds are part of the opioid settlement dollars that were awarded to the state, and a portion is distributed to the counties over the course of 42 months.

“It’s not a ton of money but it’s significant enough to make a difference,” said Hannon. “Our priorities need to stay the same, treatment, case management, and SAP services.”

“But, we’re always looking for opportunities to expand if the funds are there.”

Donald Peters, director of Veterans Affairs, also gave Commissioners an update on how well the group’s office has been running.

Peters and his staff serve veterans by assisting them and their families when applying for Federal, State, and County benefits.

He provides families with the tools they need to live, not just survive.

His department provides benefit counseling for veterans and their dependents and assists them in filing for compensation or pension claims.

Veterans Affairs assists veterans or the surviving relatives of veterans in filing for reinstatement of discontinued benefits, or reopening of original claims.

The association assists widows in filing for Widows Pension or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation claims and state benefits.

Peters also assists in researching and obtaining the necessary documentation and records in support of claims such as military and service medical records, supportive service and discharge documents.

Emergency Assistance, Educational Gratuity, Real Estate Tax Exemption, blind Veterans Pension, Paralyzed Veterans Pension, etc. are also provided.

“We started our military share in July 2024 and have grown tremendously with 143 families signed up,” says Peters.

Peters proudly secured over $507,000 in compensation benefits to veterans in Juniata County.

Juniata County Commissioners also:

-Approved the agreement between Juniata County Children and Youth Services and Michelle Rice to provide fiscal related services at an hourly rate of $70 plus mileage.The term of the agreement is Feb. 21, 2025 through June 30, 2025;

-Approved payment of checks in the amount of $126,101.97 and in the amount of $78,407.885;

-Reviewed the January change of Assessment report as submitted by the Juniata County Assessment Office;

-Approved the hiring of Catilin Imes as Office Manager/Field Assessor effective March 3, 2025, pending receipt of the required background clearances, as recommended by Michael Hower, Director of Assessment & GIS. Ms. Imes replaces Susan Yorks who transferred to another department effective Jan. 6, 2025. Wages and benefits will be as per the current bargaining agreement.