Nemacolin Prepares To Dig In And Give Back

Volunteers from Nemacolin Woodlands Resort will hit the road this week with representatives from more than a dozen other organizations to take part is what some might deem the ultimate in giving back. On Friday, April 19, 2013, Nemacolin Gives Back, a Nemacolin Woodlands Resort volunteer organization created to personally impact the local community, will participate in the second year of a multi-year reforestation effort at the Flight 93 Memorial site. The ultimate goal of the project is to establish a windbreak for the 40 Memorial Groves design feature, which will be planted nearby in memory of those individuals who lost their lives aboard Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. The personal impact for the participants is much more far reaching.

“After participating in the first year of the project, we were left with a feeling of overwhelming gratitude for the sacrifices of the crew and passengers of Flight 93. We all walked away with a sense of satisfaction that we were able to make a small contribution in the effort to preserve their memory for years to come,” said Julie King, Marketing Manager and Organizer of Nemacolin Gives Back. “This project has such a personal connection for everyone who has played a part and unites us in a way that none of us should ever forget. That is why we knew we had to be involved again this year.”

Nemacolin Gives Back was established over a year ago and has participated in several events since its inception. These events include a Nemacolin's traveling Wild Animal Show at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Flight 93 Reforestation Project, Habitat for Humanity, a Summer Food Program and Pittsburgh Beautification. In keeping with the philanthropic spirit of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's founders, Joseph A. Hardy and Maggie Hardy Magerko, Nemacolin Gives Back has made it their mission to personally impact individuals through personal connection and interaction. However, for many of the individuals participating in the Flight 93 project, the personal impact lies within.

Images from Nemacolin Gives Back's participation in the Flight 93 Reforestation project in 2012.

Julie King
Marketing Manager
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Make This A Helping Holiday

It all began about two weeks ago when I walked past the television and caught a glimpse of a commercial featuring Santa. I had no idea the jolly old elf was already in town.  That knot in my throat, breaking out in a cold sweat feeling of pre-holiday panic began to set in and had a firm grip on my psyche and my dreams.  Work projects and family obligations have had me on the run for the last few weekends and the increasing trails of dust and mounting piles of clutter at the house were weighing heavy on my mind and I envisioned being featured prominently on the next season of Hoarders.  With so much to do just to return to some sense of domestic normalcy, how in the world would I ever manage extra preparations for the holiday season?  When could I hope to begin the deep cleaning that I associate with this time of the year or begin to bake for family and friends?  And shopping?   I might as well just wave the white flag of surrender and resign myself to the fact that I simply might not have the time to bake everyone’s favorite delicacy this year or hang that extra string of lights that brings a special glow to the living room.

Photo Credit:  NEW YORK DAILY TIMES

Then, this past Sunday, while contemplating my annual dilemma and formulating this season’s shopping strategies, my holiday stress suddenly dissipated.  I was pulling the pre-pre-pre-holiday toy circular from the local paper when I noticed a photo on the front page that struck every Christmas chord in my body and forced me to take stock of what is truly important during the holidays and every day.  That solitary image of total devastation from the Breezy Point neighborhood borough of Queens made me realize that my holiday preparations, no matter how hectic and hurried, would be very different from those of our neighbors in many northeast communities.  Instead of fretting about a clean home or a special glow, they will be searching through rubble in the spot where they placed their tree last December.  They will not be worrying about the number of Christmas cookies they bake but agonizing over how they will continue to feed their families.  These neighbors will not be hanging holiday lights but concentrating on finding warm and safe shelter for their children and explaining to those very same children how Santa will find them this year…if he finds them at all.

This should be a very different holiday season for each and every one of us whether we were in the direct path of Superstorm Sandy or many miles away in communities untouched and unharmed.  At Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, we are committed to aid in the recovery efforts as a handful of our associates will be traveling to affected neighborhoods to volunteer their time and to deliver supplies to those in such incredible need.  Knowing just how generous and caring our amazing guests can be, we are certain that many have already contributed to the massive relief efforts along the eastern seaboard and we humbly ask that everyone reading this consider a donation of time or supplies if they are able.  We have learned of a number of items that are in great demand and we are placing collection receptacles at the Concierge Desk with plans to ship the contents to a New Jersey community near Ocean City.  If you live in our region or are visiting us within the next month, we hope that you will join us in our efforts and bring one or two of the requested items to help us help those whose holidays have forever changed.

Needed Items

• Dish Washing Detergent (small sizes)
• Cleaning Supplies (small sizes)
• Toiletries
• Diapers
• Baby Wash
• New Linens
• Non-Perishable Food (dry milk)
• Juice

Zelma Kassimer
Director of Marketing and Guest Relations Manager

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

To Give Is To Receive

The Hardy family has spent many decades focusing on how to best give back to their community and, through their generosity, have made an impact on the lives of individuals touched by hardships ranging from illness to unemployment. Their philanthropic spirit and sense of genuine caring for the human condition are the foundation that is igniting the recent efforts of a group of Nemacolin associates who have the heart and desire to personally touch lives in their community and truly make a difference. They have named this organization Nemacolin Gives Back.

Nemacolin Gives Back is not financially supported by any corporation or entity and operates solely on the generosity of Nemacolin associates. Therefore, the projects considered are primarily designed to involve the donation of personal time with the focus being that each project has a direct impact on an individual or cause. There are many in need who are often forgotten because their hardship doesn’t fall under a socially supported spectrum of charitable foundations. There are worthy causes shrouded in a cloud of hard work that most people seek to avoid. These are their focus.

On April 20th and 27th, Nemacolin Gives Back is thrilled to be participating in their first event since its inception in January of this year. Seventeen associates will travel to the site of the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to participate in a reforestation project. They will navigate steep and rocky terrain and plant seedling trees in an effort to help repair the damage that remains from years of coal mining in the region. The location of this project is one that is close to the hearts of many, yet the organizers had a difficult time filling the volunteer spots necessary to proceed with the project. Nemacolin Gives Back is very proud to be able to contribute and is looking forward to the challenge and the end result. In addition to this project, they will be participating in the building of a Habitat for Humanity home, as well as a Children’s Hospital special event and toy drive. Nemacolin Gives Back is currently searching for additional projects that will enlighten the lives of individuals, even if just for one day.

While individual passions may vary, the people involved in this organization share one belief that unites them: “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” ― Albert Pike


Julie King
Marketing Manager & Nemacolin Gives Back Organizer
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort