Letters: ThinkBIG continues to have impact; More context needed about predator hunts

ThinkBIG continues to have impact

The ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund has announced that in 2022, they were able to assist 61 different families with over $235,000 in financial support, including families in Centre and Clearfield counties. Families helped were treated at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

ThinkBIG has the primary mission to alleviate the stress of everyday financial expenses so families who are battling pediatric cancer can concentrate on treatment and healing. ThinkBIG accomplishes this by helping families with monthly bills, including, but not limited to, mortgage, car payments and utility bills. ThinkBIG also helps families with funeral expenses for those who unfortunately lose their battle to pediatric cancer. Since inception in 2014, ThinkBIG has now been able to provide over $1,100,000 in financial support to local families in northeast and central Pennsylvania.

“It’s been humbling seeing ThinkBIG flourish from year to year,” said Dr. Colby Wesner, founder/president of ThinkBIG and a pediatrician at Mount Nittany Medical Center. “Our organization is extremely proud of the financial support we are able to provide throughout central and northeast Pennsylvania. We are grateful for the contributions of our volunteers and donors to allow us to continue to provide this valuable resource to families battling pediatric cancer.”

ThinkBIG is always in search of volunteers and events to support their mission. Anyone who may be interested in volunteering their time or resources is asked to visit its website or reach out via email at info@thinkbigpa.org.

More context needed about predator hunts

Regional Pennsylvania journalism ought to inform public understanding of animal welfare and habitat implications regarding upcoming coyote killing contests.

PA coyote killing contests commonly award cash-prizes for the most coyotes killed. In 2022, approximately 34 took place in Pennsylvania between January-March.

In prior years the Centre Daily Times published registration information for these contests.

There are habitat and animal welfare implications to these competitions. Providing independent reporting on these implications educates public discourse on policy options.

This year I ask the CDT and WPSU to offer journalism context for these killing contests.

Some questions that can inform civic discourse:

1. If Pennsylvania implements deer and bear tag requirements for conservation purposes, why can coyote killing contests be hosted by private groups without tag or permit limits?

2. Are ecologists in Pennsylvania researching habitat or human consequences to fragmenting coyote packs? On tick-borne disease transmission?

3. If coyote population management is a concern across regions of PA, have county and state governments explored partnering with organizations like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for alternatives to killing contests?

4. Why have some Pennsylvania municipalities and other states banned coyote killing contests? What has been the impact on the number of human/domestic animal interactions in these areas?

5. Does the Pennsylvania State Game Commission endorse coyote killing contests as an effective conservation management policy?