Hello again, readers! How was your Father’s Day weekend? See, I believe the holiday should be celebrated over the course of three days, not just on the traditional Sunday. Ask any dad and I think they would agree, it’s not too much to ask to chill out Friday evening through bedtime on Sunday once a year, is it? That was my plan, and I made it known to anyone in my household who would listen! My Pittsburgh Pirates were playing a weekend series against my newly adopted second favorite team the Washington Nationals, and I had intentions of watching every single pitch. My wife, however, had other plans. [Read more…] about Make Your Vacation All About Donation!
Learn More About The Second Chance Act: An Interview With Attorney Rodney Rose
Last week I was very happy to write about The Second Chance Act, legislation that offers non-violent offenders the opportunity to have their criminal record expunged in order to help them find gainful employment. I have to say, this ground-breaking bill can literally change lives—and already has—which is what Horizon Goodwill is all about! Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss the details of The Second Chance Act with Attorney Rodney Rose, Horizon Goodwill Industries’ Director of Regulatory Compliance and In-House Council, who actually helped write new verbiage to be added later this year within the existing bill. I suggest you take a few minutes to read what Attorney Rose had to say regarding The Second Chance Act, Horizon Goodwill’s Legal Expungement Assistance Program (LEAP)and how both are helping to improve the unemployment rate in Washington County. [Read more…] about Learn More About The Second Chance Act: An Interview With Attorney Rodney Rose
There Is Such A Thing As A Second Chance
In last week’s article, “The Lessons Our Fathers Teach Us”, I mentioned second chances. I think we would all agree, everyone has had a lapse in judgement at one point or another, usually in our younger years before we realized the negative consequences our actions can have. Imagine, just for a second, how would your life be today if you were caught and charged for stealing that stop sign at the corner of 5th of Main? Your friends thought it would be a cool idea, and it would look amazing hanging on your bedroom wall—but what if that missing sign caused a horrible traffic accident? Not such a cool souvenir now. Remember that graduation party? You know the one, where you had a few too many beers but decided you could still drive, and somehow made it home, but for the life of you, there is no recollection of actually being in the car. What could have happened? Pretty scary… [Read more…] about There Is Such A Thing As A Second Chance
The Lessons Our Fathers Teach Us
A couple of weeks ago I shared a story titled “You’ve Never Seen A Hearse With A Trailer Hitch For A Reason”, a little tale regarding what I learned about Horizon Goodwill’s favorite musician Kristian Bush. In the article I mentioned how my late father had a love for all types of music, specifically country, which, as a teen growing up in Western Pennsylvania would embarrass me to no end. This was in the 1980’s, when Def Leppard was taking the world by storm, Bon Jovi was slated to become the next big thing and everyone, at least in my high school, wanted to rock with Twisted Sister and bang their head alongside Quiet Riot. Yes, without a doubt, my dad was so uncool as he played The Statler Brothers and Marty Robbins at maximum volume driving through town. But now, looking back as a father myself, I realize not only was my father the coolest man in my universe, unbeknownst to me, he taught me life lessons that have made me the person I am today. Do you mind joining me as I share some of his wisdom? [Read more…] about The Lessons Our Fathers Teach Us
You’ve Never Seen A Hearse With A Trailer Hitch For A Reason
I’ve always had an eclectic taste in music with the exception of thrash metal, hip-hop and, well, country. It’s not that I despise those genres, I can find something that appeals to me in each of them, it’s just there are so many other types of music that gets me going and only so many hours in the day. I just might get flamed for this, but I never really cared for the headache inducing sounds of Metallica, or the rhyming styles of Run D.M.C. As far as country goes, I do have a soft place in my heart for Johnny Cash thanks to my father, and I guess I can listen to Willie Nelson when the spirit moves me, but it’s just not my thing. Hey, everyone has different tastes—that’s what makes the world go round after all. But I did hear a pretty catchy song today by Kristian Bush that just may have me changing my ways. In order to explain how I found myself actually not only enjoying this particular song and artist, but even prepared to give the singer my seal of approval, first I have to explain my convoluted theory of music. [Read more…] about You’ve Never Seen A Hearse With A Trailer Hitch For A Reason
The Horizon Goodwill Awards Dinner—An Eye Opening Experience
This past Wednesday, my wife and I attended Horizon Goodwill’s 60th Annual Awards Dinner, our first time having just moved to the area from Pittsburgh a little less than a year ago. We were both so moved by the event that I felt compelled to dedicate this week’s blog to our experience, sharing what we learned about this incredible organization, the spirit of community and yes, my disappointment about choosing the wrong week to start my diet. [Read more…] about The Horizon Goodwill Awards Dinner—An Eye Opening Experience