When learning about a local charity, “Project Share the Joy” and the “Night at the Races” event, our employees quickly said yes to helping out!

“Project Share the Joy” has a mission to provide gifts, clothing, dinner and grocery staples to families who may not otherwise have a meaningful Christmas. Last year, the charity provided Christmas to 34 local families. All gifts and food were delivered by Santa and his Elves between December 22nd and 24th. The organization started over 30 years ago and is 100% run by volunteers. They host an annual fundraising event “Night at the Races”. This fun event includes a Chinese Auction, collection of donation items, ‘betting’ on horses, strip tickets and much more.
Swank employees purchased tickets to attend the “Night at the Races” event and also donated funds and items to assemble 4 baskets for the Chinese Auction including: a kid’s dump truck filled wiht fun construction toys, books games and puzzles, a Holiday Cheer basket full of adult beverages, a Wine basket with some great local wines and a lottery ticket basket. In addition to the baskets a monetary donation of over $600 was made directly to “Project Share the Joy, Inc” to help with expenses and the purchase of items.

To lean more about “Project Share the Joy. Inc”, you may contact the charity’s Coordinator, Sandy Cullen at 724-516-2629 or sharethejoy1225@outlook.com.

Volunteers are always needed to help with fundraising, shopping, wrapping and helping with the “Night at the Races” event.

Bryan Kephart: Shop Intern

Bryan graduated from Penn State, New Kensington this past spring and received a bachelor’s degree in supply chain and project management. As the shop intern, he is responsible for organizing inventory and removing obsolete parts. Bryan is creating reports and analyzing information to get a better handle on our inventory management at the shop. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time on the river, working on cars, trucks, and landscaping.

“Working at the shop has been a great experience and I enjoy working hands on with our equipment.”

Kierstin Flickinger: Rotating Intern

Kierstin is a senior graduating from Penn State New Kensington this August with a bachelor’s degree in communications focusing on journalism. At Penn State New Kensington, she was involved with the Nittany Pride Newspaper working as the Managing Editor and was the Vice President of My Vote Matters. As rotating intern, she works on different projects daily. She helps wherever is needed, but many of the jobs she does are helping Megan Rudyk in our Human Resources department. For example, last week she worked on pinning potential bids on Google Maps and put together a PDF for drivers who are applying to work here. Some hobbies of Kierstin’s are reading, painting and collecting snow globes. She just reached number 60 while on vacation in Jamaica with her family.

“So far, working at Swank has been incredible. I never pictured myself working in an office when I was younger, but I actually really enjoy being at a desk doing different things every day.”

Cameron Mika: Accounting Intern

Cameron is entering his junior year at Westminster College majoring in accounting. He is also a student-athlete on the football team, playing offensive tackle. His everyday tasks include assisting Chad Fuhrman, Lisa Novak, Jason Brown and Kelly Shirley with day to day accounting tasks like balancing check books and applying payments. In his free time Cameron enjoys hunting, fishing and lifting.

“Everyone at Swank is very friendly and I can ask anyone for help”

Fontaine Glenn: Media Intern

Fontaine graduated from Penn State last December with a bachelor’s degree in journalism specified in broadcast with a focus on sports. Before transferring to Penn State, University Park, she went to Penn State, Behrend and was a student athlete playing basketball for three years. At University Park, she was a part of Penn State Sports Night, All Women in Sports Media (AWSM) Club, Centre County Report Reporter and the fencing reporting for The Daily Collegian. As the media intern, she works on multiple different projects across all the divisions. Currently she is working with Executive Assistant Crystal Barrett building Swank’s Instagram account (@swankco_). In her free time, Fontaine likes to attend sporting events, be with friends and family, and eat good food.

“Working at Swank has been a great opportunity because I am able to use the various skills I learned at Penn State and incorporate them in my day to day tasks as the media intern.”