Letters: Centre County’s ballot process should be commended; Final week for Toys for Tots
Centre County’s ballot process should be commended
On Election Day, I volunteered in the Centre County Vote-by-Mail Processing Room at the Penn Stater. I want to commend Michael Pipe and his team from the board of elections for a superior job of organizing and executing this process.
From the very beginning, the communication from Mr. Pipe was articulate, helpful and timely. Ahead of Election Day, volunteers were provided with training via Zoom, and with follow-up links to the instruction video for our reference. On Election Day, the room was prepared for our safety against COVID-19, and again, preparation and advance organization were clearly in evidence. The process ran smoothly and efficiently, and Mr. Pipe’s team was on hand to make process adjustments as necessary.
As I was departing the Penn Stater, I heard others say that they were proud of their participation in this effort. I concur. It was great to see our county government work for us, and to see so many citizens engaged in the process. Thank you, and kudos to Centre County!
Final week for Toys for Tots
We needed to move up this year’s Centre County Toys for Tots campaign due to the virus. There are about 200 collection points around the county and for most, Nov. 13th will be the last day. The need to provide toys to needy children in our community is as great as ever. A few new toys can provide hope and joy to children that otherwise will not be able to enjoy what most of us take for granted during the holidays.
Monetary donations are also greatly needed and can be made directly to our Centre County campaign at http://lemont-pa.toysfortots.org or at the toysfortots.org website and drop down to PA and Centre County.
Volunteers are still needed to assist with our modified wrapping and advance sign up is required. Information of the schedule and signing up can also be found at the website listed above.
Moving on, together, after the election
What now? Though we have no election results as of Friday, it’s not too soon to ask this question. Because, really, what now? Where do we go from here? Despair comes easily in the fog of uncertainty, and 2020 has held its fair share. But it has also reminded me, time and again, how amazing the people of Centre County can be. When I look down my street, and I see yard signs touting a candidate other than the one I voted for, I don’t feel rancor. I feel gratitude. I see not political opponents, but neighbors who all came together when a microburst devastated our neighborhood a few years back. I see the kids who play with my kids, who don’t care who we voted for, only that our yard is open and the bike tires are filled. Someone holds a door for me at Sheetz, and it doesn’t matter where we stand on Roe v. Wade, or gun rights; it matters only that someone I don’t know took a moment from their day to show kindness. These aren’t anomalies; this happens here every single day. I see it. You see it. We are not monoliths. Regardless of how we voted, your friends and neighbors contain multitudes. Let’s take this opportunity to get to know each other again. Let’s have discussions over drinks on the deck instead of exchanging vitriol through social media. In the end, it’s not politicians who can make America great again. It’s us. And it starts here, today.