Plum police, Rotary Club present donations to Meals on Wheels

Brian C. Rittmeyer
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 2:01 p.m. | Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 2:01 p.m.

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Brian C. Rittmeyer | Tribune-Review

The Plum Police Department made a $1,340 donation to the Plum Community Center for its Meals on Wheels program Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. The money was raised by officers paying $50 each to be able to not shave for the month of November. Pictured are, from left, Officer Justin Farneth, Sgt. Joe DiMaria, Chief Lanny Conley, Meals on Wheels Manager Samantha Lamorte, Officer Ryan Schneiderlochner and Officer Shawn Porter.

Brian C. Rittmeyer | Tribune-Review

The Rotary Club of Plum made a $400 donation to the Plum Community Center’s Meals on Wheels program Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. Pictured are, from left, Dana Paul, Ron Boller, Amy Hansmann, club President Jim Yamnitzky, Meals on Wheels Manager Samantha Lamorte, Mary Beth Tedrick, Jessica Yamnitzky and Plum Borough Manager Michael Thomas.

Brian C. Rittmeyer | Tribune-Review

The Rotary Club of Plum and Plum’s police department each made donations to the Plum Community Center’s Meals on Wheels program Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. Pictured are, from left, Rotary President Jim Yamnitzky, Meals on Wheels Manager Samantha Lamorte and police Chief Lanny Conley.

Some fuzzy faces in Plum’s police department are helping making Christmas brighter for people getting help from Meals on Wheels.

Police Chief Lanny Conley presented a $1,340 check Tuesday to Samantha Lamorte, manager of the Meals on Wheels program at the Plum Community Center.

The money came from the department’s “No Shave November,” through which officers paid at least $50 to not have to shave for the month. Normally, officers are allowed to have sideburns and mustaches, but the department’s policies forbid beards and goatees.

Conley, who grew a beard, himself, said all but one of the department’s 28 members participated, including those who gave money but stayed clean-shaven.

In addition to the police donation, Lamorte received a $400 check from the Rotary Club of Plum. President Jim Yamnitzky said the 21-member club raised the money through its various fundraisers.

Invoking the Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self,” Yamnitzky said, “We’re always trying to help out the community.”

Plum’s Meals on Wheels program serves 70 people on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Rotary members volunteer to drive and deliver on Mondays.

Lamorte said the donations will be used to buy Christmas gifts for the program’s recipients.

“I want to thank both the police department and the Rotary,” she said. “Their donations will go toward making seniors’ holidays a little brighter.”

Conley said police will continue their no-shave fundraiser in December, with the Plum Food Bank being the beneficiary.

Officers will be able to keep their facial hair in January but will have to shave and abide by the department’s policy beginning Feb. 1 — the chief included.

“My wife will be happy,” Conley said.

The Plum Community Center is participating in Subaru’s “Share the Love” event. People who buy or lease a new Subaru between Nov. 17 and Jan. 3 can choose Meals on Wheels as a recipient.

Last year, Plum’s Meals on Wheels program received $6,100 raised through sales in Pennsylvania, said community center Executive Director Karen Hochberg.

Those interested in supporting Meals on Wheels or receiving services can call the Plum Community Center at 412-795-2330.

Lamorte said they are always in need of drivers. Each driver makes a dozen stops between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

“It’s a nice way to give back to your community,” Lamorte said.