Recommended Organizations
New Song Community Church
New Song Community Church is located in Bethel Park, PA along Library Rd. It is a small and accepting group of Bible believing individuals led by Pastor Herb Shaffer. New Song members understand that the goal of life is to seek a deeper relationship with God and to lead others into their own relationship with God. Most members will gladly share their story of how they came to realize that God is the most important focus in life. New Song members participate in a variety of outreach activities. One of the activities is to spend a Sunday, that would normally be spent listening to an interesting discussion on who Jesus was and the things he did, working in the community. In the past, New Song helped to prepare Shekihnah Ranch for campers, landscape and clear an emergency escape path for a Bethel Park Elementary School, and assist in preparing the farm for Horses with Hope. Assisting Horses with Hope has been one of my personal favorites.
Horses with Hope
Horses with Hope is a Christian based volunteer organization focused on children with special needs. Research has shown that therapeutic riding can have a soothing and calming effect on children with a diverse array of cognitive disabilities. Additionally, the activities along the trails aid in building core muscle strength in children with certain physical disabilities.
Children are placed on a well-trained horse and guided by a horse-leader and at least one individual walking along side of the horse. Typically there is one person on each side of the horse. The children are led around a path where various activities are arranged, to be performed while on the horse, that aid in education and exercise.
I had the honor of performing my Bachelor’s internship volunteering to work on the farm and work with several children. In one case, I worked with a non-verbal autistic child who had never smiled for his parents or therapists. He apparently enjoyed one of the activities very much and I was able to witness his first smile. I highly recommend supporting this organization through volunteering, financial contributions, or spreading the word about the work they do.
Recommended Businesses
Reese Automotive
Reese Automotive is an individually owned, full service, automotive garage and towing service. His prices are extremely reasonable and he does quality work. Reese Automotive is one of the few garages in the South Hills that I will allow to work on my own vehicle and I send my family there. I first met the owner when I was fresh out of Technical School in 1997. We worked together in a national chain transmission repair garage for a few years. I know him to be competent, honest, and fair.
Pacesetter Gallery
Pacesetter Gallery is an independently owned art gallery in Flowood Mississippi. It is owned and operated by my sister-in-law, Keri Davis. She is supporting her local community by creating a space where Mississippi artists can display their art to be sold.
J & G Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning
J & G Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning is a family owned business located in Bethel Park, PA. I have lived a few houses away from the owner since 2012. I have used their services on several occasions and have always been satisfied with their work and their professionalism.
On one occasion a plumber from a company I will not name wanted to sell me a $1,200 sewer line flush to clear a clogged sewer pipe. The pipe had been cleared using a snake on two other occasions but continued to clog frequently. I thought the price sounded high so I began calling other plumbing companies. That is when, my neighbor introduced me to the owner of J & G and I told him what was happening. He came later that same day and had one of his employees get a cameral into the pipe. They found that the previous plumber was unable to get through an improperly placed terracotta trap. Moreover, they were able to get their camera much farther through the pipe and see that the pipe was already clean. It did not need cleaned; it needed repaired. After video inspection, digging, plumbing, and concrete replacement, the total cost of the repair was only $2,000. The problem was solved without wasting $1,200 on a service that absolutely would not have fixed the issue. Since then, J & G has continued to prove that they are trustworthy, reliable, and skilled in their industry. I highly recommend them for your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning needs.