KEYSTONE CLIPS This is the week to start volunteering

This is National Volunteer Week and Daniel K. Dilley of the Volunteer Service Division of United Way of Mercer County said a variety of Mercer County social service agencies can use volunteer assistance. Mercer County Association for the Retarded, Alternatives for Women, Catholic Charities, Prince of Peace Center, Salvation Army, Good Shepherd Center and Meals on Wheels are just a few of the agencies looking for help. Anyone looking for a spot to volunteer can contact the United Way at (724) 981-1884.
Envirothon: As many as 1,000 high school students from across northwestern Pennsylvania will compete in the 18th annual Envirothon to be sponsored this spring by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The Envirothon is part of the state's student environmental education, teaching young people to protect and respect nature, said Steven Beckman, DEP's regional director at Meadville. The Envirothon tests student knowledge of environmental resources and their relation to one another and human activities. Students in grades nine through 12 complete exercises in aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and a current environmental issue. Local competitions are May 1 at the Jennings Environmental Education Center in Butler County, May 8 at Cascade Park in Lawrence County, May 9 at Pymatuning State Park in Mercer and Crawford counties and May 9 at Two-Mile Run Park in Venango County. Teams that win at the county level advance to state competition May 21-22 in Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County. For more information, contact Lorelle Steach at (814) 623-6706, ext. 111.
Envirothon: As many as 1,000 high school students from across northwestern Pennsylvania will compete in the 18th annual Envirothon to be sponsored this spring by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The Envirothon is part of the state's student environmental education, teaching young people to protect and respect nature, said Steven Beckman, DEP's regional director at Meadville. The Envirothon tests student knowledge of environmental resources and their relation to one another and human activities. Students in grades nine through 12 complete exercises in aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and a current environmental issue. Local competitions are May 1 at the Jennings Environmental Education Center in Butler County, May 8 at Cascade Park in Lawrence County, May 9 at Pymatuning State Park in Mercer and Crawford counties and May 9 at Two-Mile Run Park in Venango County. Teams that win at the county level advance to state competition May 21-22 in Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County. For more information, contact Lorelle Steach at (814) 623-6706, ext. 111.
Beacon Award: Adelphia Cable is up against some heavy hitters in its quest for a 2001 Beacon Award, the top award in the cable television industry. Winning is akin to receiving an Oscar for acting or a Grammy award for music. The cable provider was nominated for its work with the Adelphia McGruff Truck Program, a 45-minute program created by the Lawrence County District Attorney's office and Adelphia that has been presented to more than 6,000 students in western Pennsylvania. Every driver of a specially marked Adelphia McGruff Truck is trained to provide assistance by calling for help when flagged down by a child or adult in distress. The trucks have two-way radios and cellular telephones. The Adelphia McGruff Truck Program is a finalist in the government affairs category and is up against programs from MTV, ESPN, Court TV and the History Channel. Winners will be announced Tuesday in Washington, D.C.