The Diakon Wilderness Center Flight Program

05/25/2020

“There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else.” ― Veronica Roth

We honor and remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives serving our country. 🇺🇸

04/15/2020

Diakon is concerned not only about the people we directly serve, but also about the communities in which we all live. In fact, Diakon’s services have focused on improving the lives of people in need since 1868.

That service has a significant impact on society as a whole. But community benefit also incorporates the way we make a difference beyond direct service, especially in terms of concern for those with lower incomes or other limited resources. Community benefit arises from our service not only to the neighbors we directly help, but also to their neighbors. We call this the good we do beyond the good we set out to do!

Community benefit reflects our responsibility for improving the overall fabric of society, a response to the trust placed in us through our tax-exempt status.

In 2019, our community benefit totaled $20.5 million, with extensive additional impact not reported financially, based on national guidelines.
Moreover, even that additional impact does not take into account the societal benefits associated with our responsible employment of nearly 2,000 people, which includes competitive wages and a generous benefits package. Beyond the taxes they pay within their local communities, these staff members are not only dedicated employees of Diakon, but also share a giving spirit, donating to Diakon and other community organizations each year.

https://www.diakon.org/about-us/community-impact

04/10/2020

"When I was young, the first thing I did in the morning—even before getting out of bed—was to think of three things for which I was thankful that day.

And then to thank God for those blessings.

There were no rules regarding the three things. On some days, they were pretty basic and I would quickly thank God for the first things that came to mind: I have a bed to sleep in, the sun is shining and Mrs. Gore gave the class an extra day to study for the geography test.

Other days, and especially as I grew older, my three things began to expand beyond the immediate, recognizing God’s grace in our lives..."

To read more of Mark Pile, Diakon President/CEO's Easter message, please click here:

https://www.diakon.org/ediakonnect/april-2020-mark-message-on-thankfulness/

01/09/2020

Did you know?

Citrus is one of the most nutrient dense groups of fruit offering a boost of nutrients with relatively few calories!🍊

01/08/2020

On the surface, there may not seem to be a connection between Christmas and SpaghettiOs®, but for the past quarter-century the two have in a sense gotten the holiday spirit cooking at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

This Christmas season just ended, in fact, marked the 25th and final year members of the Chef’s Silver and Gold Association, composed of current and retired Chef Boyardee employees, made a festive Christmas visit to the Diakon senior living community. Currently owned by ConAgra Foods, the Chef Boyardee company was founded in nearby Milton in 1938.

Ken Fisher Jr. began working for the company in 1969 when it was known as American Home Products; he retired in 2010. Chef’s Silver and Gold began, he says, “because we wanted to help our retirees if they didn’t have immediate family around.” Members would take retirees shopping, to the grocery store or occasionally to doctors’ appointments. They were not there to provide emergency services but to help out. The group subsequently expanded its mission to visit five area senior living communities to spread Christmas cheer...

Please read more of their story here: https://www.diakon.org/ediakonnect/chef-boyardee-retirees-conclude-long-volunteer-effort/

01/03/2020

“New Year’s means resolutions, right? Not this year, at least for me,” Melissa Kindall of Diakon’s Office of Corporate Communications writes in a new post on Diakon’s Many Voices. One Heart. blog.

“I’ve been focused on something better that I think may be more successful than making lofty (and sometimes unreachable) resolutions that focus on my own well-being and, essentially, boil down to a tiresome to-do list.” She is working to perceive challenges, she notes, not as things she “has” to do, but “gets” to do. That approach may well turn such challenges into opportunities.

To read her New Year’s reflection, partially based on a recent trip to India, see the post at

New Year’s means resolutions, right? Not this year, at least for me. Because of a recent trip, I’ve been focused on something better that I think may be more successful than making lofty (and sometimes unreachable) resolutions that focus on my own well-being and, essentially, boil down to a tire...

12/25/2019

Mark T. Pile, Diakon President/CEO shares a Christmas message...

When I remember Christmases past, I don’t remember most of the gifts or what was served for dinner or, certainly, which Christmas cards were mailed.

Rather, I remember the joy of being together with family and friends and the way my heart lurched at the beauty of the candlelight service.

I remember that all we have in life is a gift from God—and that His most amazing Gift was the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the salvation brought to the world through Him that blessed night.

God himself created the perfect Christmas. We only have to embrace and enjoy His remarkable Gift....

Finding the true meaning of the season ....

11/29/2019

When you shop Black Friday deals (and the other 364 days of the year!), AmazonSmile donates to our Diakon Child, Family & Community Ministries programs!

11/28/2019

"In any circumstance or time in your life you have the choice to be thankful or not.

That is not always an easy task, but as we are reminded in 1st Thessalonians: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

These thoughts are particularly meaningful for me this year. I have spent much time the last few months in my hometown in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, with my 95-year-old mother, who passed away the end of last week. In any such moment, despite gratitude for the wonderful care she received from the local hospice, thankfulness is typically not an immediate emotion..."

You can read more of Diakon President/CEO Mark Pile's Thanksgiving message here...https://mailchi.mp/diakon/being-thankful-at-all-times-even-in-moments-of-challenge?e=[UNIQID]

Being thankful, even in the midst of challenges ....

11/25/2019

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the Lancaster Community Foundation Extra Give campaign!

We raised $8,955 for Diakon Youth Services from a total of 37 donors!

11/22/2019

TODAY ONLY! Diakon Youth Services needs your support – and today only your gift will be matched …

The Diakon program for at-risk youths is participating in Lancaster County’s ExtraGive event to support community organizations. Diakon Youth Services aids children, youths and families from the county as well as, of course, all of central and eastern Pennsylvania.

Click the link below to make your gift. The page includes potential giving options and the specific support or items they provide.

Thank you!

https://www.extragive.org/organizations/diakon-youth-services