Pa. governor's wife to attend area benefit

HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Kathy Schweiker, Pennsylvania's first lady, will join the Mercer County Unit of the American Cancer Society for a Daffodil Days campaign luncheon at noon Thursday at the Hickory VFW on East State Street.
The event is open to the public and reservations can be made by calling the society at (724) 346-3529.
Schweiker will be joined by Dr. Robert Muscalus, Physician General of the Commonwealth.
As first lady, Schweiker continues a legacy of volunteerism and community service begun seven years ago when her husband became Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker. He became governor Oct. 5 when Tom Ridge resigned to take on the newly created federal post of Director of Homeland Security.
The Daffodil campaign, which began Feb. 1, ends March 23 and is expected to raise $25,000 in Mercer County.
After the luncheon, Schweiker will visit the Artman Elementary School at 1:30 p.m. to read to second-graders.
The first lady has served as honorary chairman of the American Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Days celebration for the last three years. She is also honorary chairman of the society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program.
She was presented with the state society's Stanley A. Miller Excellence in Service Award in 1998.