County Commissioners told local Red Cross volunteers are vital to success

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

American Red Cross officials were quick to credit nearly 40 local volunteers who continue to answer the call to serve in a time of need. 

Derek Holjes, a board member with the Central Pennsylvania chapter of the American Red Cross, made that comment while providing a report on countywide activities on Thursday, March 5, at the Lebanon County Commissioners bi-monthly board meeting.  

After thanking commissioners for naming March as American Red Cross month, Holjes recognized local volunteers.

“Here in Lebanon County, the Red Cross mission is primarily driven and powered by volunteers,” he said. “So here in Lebanon County, we do have 37 volunteers carrying out that mission. That mission consists of disaster response, community preparedness.”

Holjes said that since July, the Red Cross has responded to 14 disasters, primarily home fires, helping 44 individuals and their families in their times of need.

“Through community partnerships the county has hosted 21 blood drives, gathering 498 units of blood at a time when the blood shortage is absolutely critical,” Holjes said. “And finally in our preparedness program through the home fire program, we have installed 121 smoke alarms here in Lebanon County.”

County administrator Jamie Wolgemuth read the proclamation, noting that “every day, their acts of kindness change lives, bringing relief, comfort, and hope when health can’t wait. The compassionate spirit runs deep in our community, just as it has for 145 years through the American Red Cross.”

Wolgemuth noted some of the tasks they perform when called to duty.

“Today, those who serve with the American Red Cross of Central Pennsylvania light the way during emergencies, whether it’s delivering shelter, food, and comfort after disasters, providing a safe, life-saving blood supply for patients, facing conditions like cancer treatments, childbirth complications, and traumatic injuries, assisting military members, veterans and their families with 24/7 global support, or empowering individuals with skills like first aid and CPR that save lives. These collective efforts are a powerful reminder that the strength of our community lies in shared commitment to one another.”

In closing, Wolgemuth said commissioners “encourage all citizens of Lebanon County to reach out and support its humanitarian mission.”

Other board actions

In other actions of the board, commissioners voted unanimously to:

• Approve the treasurer’s report, including a beginning cash balance of $640,338.24, receipts of $1,891,454.16, and a total cash balance of $2,531,792.40, less expenditures of $1,586,330.05, and less tax claim of $127,415.44, leaving a cash balance of $818,046.91, which includes Friday’s payroll.
• Provide a change order for Phase 1A renovations in the assessment and public defender’s offices totaling $7,145.59. Wolgemuth said this change order complies with fire code regulations and includes the addition of fire dampers, ceramic blank fire dampers, ceiling radiation fire dampers, ceramic blankets to the ductwork and fire rated grill registers and diffusers throughout those areas. 
• Pay second quarter invoices for fiscal year 2025-26 totaling just over $6 million for Children & Youth Services. 
• Name Steven Toler of Lebanon to the Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick board of directors. This appointment brings the number of directors to seven. Toler’s term runs through June 30. At their last meeting, commissioners voted to increase the board from six to seven members.
• Renew the canteen services agreement at the Lebanon County Correctional Facility with no changes to the prior contract. The county gets 15% commissions for snacks and beverages purchased by inmates. 
• Change the prison commissary provider to Oasis, which includes a 44% commission to the county, which is a change from the previous vendor. The change was sought because of service performance issues with the current vendor, whose agreement ends April 1. 
• Amend the inmate telephone services agreement to be in compliance with federal regulations, which brings commission changes from 0.08 cents to 0.02 cents on all calls and video visits. Lebanon County will still receive a percentage commission on the non-regulated side of the tablets used for communications. The new agreement ensures county and vendor compliance with the federal government.
• Hire John Wickizer, LPC of Annville as a psychologist consultation at the Renova Center. He will be paid $94 per hour for a minimum of four hours of week and $110 per hour if the hours are changed. The contract rates for hired staff varies from $29 an hour to $70 depending on the profession.
• Sign a primary care medical provider contract for administrative services at the Renova Center at a rate of $1,156.38 per month.
• Provide a contract to ProSource Medical Staffing LLC of Huntingdon, West Virginia, to hire personnel for the Renova Center.
• Grant real estate tax exemptions for seven fully disabled veterans or their families. 
• Accept various personnel transactions as presented by the Human Resources department. 
• Approve the minutes of their Feb. 19 meeting and executive session on March 3 to discuss personnel matters. 

Next meeting

Lebanon County Commissioners meet the first and third Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in Room 207 of the county municipal building, 400 S. 8th St., Lebanon. The next regularly scheduled meeting is on Thursday, March 19.