Editorial: Central PA Avengers bring joy to shelter

York Dispatch

Literacy Council tutor has been at it for 37 years.
Cancer survivor spreads good vibes at treatment center.

Thumbs up:

Mosiah Autry, 6, right, tries to change his motorcycle toy wheels, during the Central PA Avengers gift giving event at LifePath Ministries Women and Children's Shelter Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in York City. The Central PA Avengers are group of costume enthusiasts that have turned their love of costuming into a way to give back to their community. Amanda J. Cain photo

To Captain America, Wolverine, Black Widow, Harley Quinn, Elsa and the other Central PA Avengers who showed up bearing gifts at the LifePath Christian Ministry Women and Children's shelter.

The group of cosplayers — performance artists dressed up as characters — who give back to the central state region, stopped at the building to give out gifts, play games and color with the children, ages 6 through 12.

"Some of these kids don't talk to a lot of people," and the familiarity of the heroes often allows them to "come out of their shell," said Matthew Carey, CEO of LifePath Christian Ministry, formerly known as the York Rescue Mission.

Heroes visit kids at LifePath Christian Ministries

Donning a Captain America costume, Jason Johnson, the director of Central PA Avengers, said the group is happy to give back.

"It feels great," Johnson said. "That's the best way to say it."

Thumbs up: To Sherrill Trimpey who has tutored with the York County Literacy Council for 37 years and was recently awarded the Bea Blatner Award for her services.

York County Literacy Council volunteer Sherrill Trimpey poses with her Bea Blatner Award as the council celebrates 40 years Nov. 15, 2016. The award recognizes Trimpey's service as a tutor.

The award goes to tutors who exhibit the exemplary qualities long-time volunteer Bea Blatner displayed during her 20 years of tutoring students in York County.

“Each new student was another new door to open and enjoy," Trimpey said.

The Shrewsbury resident enjoyed helping students learn common sense and how to take care of themselves during her time as a tutor. She also enjoyed the stories her foreign students told her about their home countries.

"When you teach immigrants, you hear stories of other lands and the struggles people have, but they also have their dreams," she said in a news release. "They believe in the dream that America is the place where they can come to work, raise their families and live in peace, free from persecution, poverty and violence."

Local tutor wins York County Literacy award

We think maybe it’s time for a Sherrill Trimpey award for those volunteers who emulate her success in tutoring!

Thumbs up: To cancer survivor Charlie Lustman, a California based musician who brought his act to the York Cancer Center.

Since 2007, the 51-year-old has made singing about cancer his full-time job, hoping to turn the power of music and a message of living life to the fullest into inspiration for those undergoing cancer treatment.

“I realized this stuff works,” Lustman said. “If it works for me, I’ve got to empower others.”

After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his jaw, the singer and former owner of a silent movie theater in California turned to song despite doctors saying he wouldn’t be able to speak again, let alone sing.

During Lustman’s Musical Hope Campaign tour, Charlie sings for patients, nurses and doctors.

One oncologist shed a tear while hearing his ode to her profession.

Cancer survivor brings musical message to York

Why choose nurse oncology?

There has to be some easier way to spend your day.

My patients, friends and families — they all depend on me.

And that is why I’m proud to work in nurse oncology.