Lancaster Connects

This episode features Kelly Osborne, a volunteer with the Pilot Club of Lancaster and serves currently as the President Elect. The Pilot Club of Lancaster is a volunteer service club that was established in Lancaster County in 1947. PCOL was instrumental in launching the Meals on Wheels program in Lancaster in 1967 and still continues to support the program through volunteer deliveries and donations. Pilot Club of Lancaster's signature service program in Project Lifesaver, a search and rescue program for public safety agencies to quickly locate persons who wander due to a cognitive condition like autism, dementia, and Alzheimer's. The club launched the program in 2012 with West Hempfield Police Department being the first agency to run the program in Lancaster County. Today, the club supports the 20 police departments involved county wide to include the PA State Police, Troop J Lancaster.

Kelly is a retired Pennsylvania State Police Master Trooper and was last stationed at Troop J Lancaster as the Community Services Officer. It was late 2019, when her father, who suffered from dementia, wandered away from his assisted living facility and was found deceased. Kelly found Project Lifesaver, an international nonprofit and learned the Pilot Club was already supporting police agencies in the county who were participating in the program. Kelly made it her mission to bring Troop J Lancaster on board, thus enabling Project Lifesaver to extend to the entire county.

In January 2022, Project Lifesaver launched at Troop J Lancaster. Kelly retired in January 2023, after 25 years as a state trooper. She continues to be involved with the program through her volunteer work with the Pilot Club and as a National Trainer for Project Lifesaver International.

In this episode, Ben and Jeff speak with Pam Witwer, the dynamic owner of Lancaster PA Notary, a 24/7 mobile notary service covering 9 Central PA counties. Pam's journey from launching her business in March 2023 to becoming a certified real estate loan closing agent, living trust delivery agent, and apostille agent is truly remarkable.

But Pam's story goes beyond her professional achievements. With nearly three decades of experience in state government, Pam brings a wealth of dedication and commitment to her clients. Her newness in the notary industry is seen as an opportunity to shine, and she sets the bar high with her punctuality, reliability, and professionalism.

As a small woman-owned business (a solopreneur), Pam remains actively involved in her community. She's a dedicated member of the Southern Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, serving as the Membership Chairperson. She also volunteers with organizations like the Alzheimer's Association-Greater PA Chapter, showing her commitment to making a difference.

Tune in as they delve into Pam's incredible journey, her dedication to service, and her commitment to exceeding expectations in every way.

Join Karen King and the SCORE Professional Women's Network for a high-energy and hands-on experience where you will learn how to develop intentional goals for your professional and personal life.

This workshop will occur on Thursday, October 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Lancaster Chamber (115 E. King Street) in Rooms 2E & 2F. Light fare and refreshments will be provided.

Homefields is an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to creating new life options for people who have disabilities. Six adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live on a 19-acre property in Millersville, PA, in a modern ranch house and 1800s farmhouse. Hundreds of people who have disabilities or other barriers to traditional employment have engaged at Homefields Care Farm, growing chemical-free produce for community shareholders for 30 years.

Join the fun at their Picnic at the Farm happening on September 24th, 2023. It’s an outdoor celebration of food and community, with live music, games, activities, and a menu that spotlights the bounty of Homefields Care Farm.

Proceeds go to the maintenance of their homes, property, and care farm, providing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In this episode, Ben and Jeff speak with Jeff Rutt, the President and CEO of Keystone Custom Homes, a company that has constructed over 9,000 homes in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Keystone Custom Homes is a three-time recipient of Builder Magazine's and the National Association of Homebuilders' prestigious "America's Best Home Builder Award" and has been named "Business of the Year" by Central Penn Business Journal. Jeff's achievements as an exceptional builder are further exemplified by his receipt of the Hearthstone Award, a lifetime service recognition accompanied by a $200,000 grant to a charity of his choice.

Beyond his remarkable success in the homebuilding industry, Jeff is also the Founder and Chairman of the Board of HOPE International, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing small loans and biblically based business training to entrepreneurs in developing countries. With a focus on offering sustainable solutions to poverty and restoring dignity within families, HOPE International has impacted over 2 million clients and disbursed more than $1.5 billion in loans across 24 countries.

Tune in or watch the episode to gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship, community building, and the profound difference one person can make in the world. Jeff's dedication to enriching lives through housing and hope serves as an inspiring example for us all.

This episode is a heartwarming story of resilience, faith, and community building. Ben and Jeff are joined by Eric and Tanya Newcomer, a remarkable couple who turned challenges into opportunities, transforming a rundown bar into a thriving faith-based coffee shop and cafe. Eric and Tanya grew up in East Berlin and the Spring Grove areas. They've not only embraced a 20-year marriage and raised three wonderful children but also embarked on an inspiring renovation project that took an unexpected turn due to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Grab your favorite cup of coffee, sit back, and let's dive into their incredible story!

In this episode, Ben and Jeff speak with Jona Green, a full-time financial advisor and the dedicated volunteer president of the Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber serves to connect 200 plus members in business and non-profit organizations.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply someone interested in understanding the relationship between finance and community development, this episode has something for you. Gain valuable insights, actionable advice, and a deeper understanding of how financial expertise and community engagement intersect to create a thriving business environment.

About Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce:

The Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce strives to advance the civic, commercial and industrial interests of the Southern Lancaster County area. The Chamber encourages businesses to actively support the community and as a unified body, the Chamber seeks to find ways to pool resources for such activities, including scholarships for local seniors.

Since 1955, the Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce has been organized for the purpose of advancing the financial, industrial and civic interests of the southern part of Lancaster County. Our Chamber provides the “extra touch” with the community, not provided by any other business unit or organization. Year after year we continue with the help of our members to grow stronger and more vital, expanding not only our reach, but also our services.

Our chamber is operated solely by member volunteers, and the investment of their time and input is what makes the Chamber a great organization. We would be honored to have your business or organization join us in our endeavors and we invite you to do so. Together we strive to provide our communities and our members with great support, products and service.

In this episode, Ben and Jeff speak with Tom Zimmerman, a lifelong resident of central Pennsylvania. Tom's story is one of service, dedication, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.

Tom's career spanned over three decades at EBG Resistors, LLC, where he navigated sales, engineering, and leadership roles. His contribution to this successful multinational business start-up played a pivotal role in supplying high-voltage, high-powered niche resistors to industries such as military, medical, aerospace, energy, and electric vehicles. As one of only three manufacturers worldwide, his influence stretched across North and South American markets, leaving an indelible mark.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tom's dedication to his community shines brightly. Post-retirement, he redirected his energy towards establishing a "Tiny Homes" village along the Susquehanna River, offering a lifeline to veterans experiencing homelessness. Co-founding Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania (VOPA), a 501(c)(3) organization, Tom's leadership has raised nearly $4 million in the past three years for this innovative project. The episode delves into the intricacies of this project, from architectural design and fundraising to community coordination.

Tune in for a captivating conversation as Ben and Jeff learn more about Tom Zimmerman - a man who continues to prove that success is not just measured in business achievements, but in the lives we touch and the communities we uplift.

In this episode, Ben and Jeff meet with David Lapp, a remarkable individual and an inspiring journey of faith and service. Growing up in a large Amish family in New Holland, PA, David and his family moved to a dairy farm in Indiana during his early teens and in 2006, he moved his own growing family back to Lancaster, PA. 

David is one of the founders of Blessings of Hope and served on the board for six years as treasurer. Then in 2018, David stepped into the role of CEO, allowing Aaron to focus on crucial management aspects like marketing, development, and fundraising.

His exceptional skill set, encompassing IT knowledge, operational management, logistics expertise, and financial and administrative acumen, proved to be an invaluable asset to Blessings of Hope. Under David's guidance, the organization reached new heights in delivering aid and support to those in need.

Tune in on the conversation with David as he reminds us all of the power of faith, compassion, and the transformative impact of serving others selflessly. 

This episode features two remarkable guests who have made significant contributions to their communities through their passions and expertise.

Our first guest is Chef Oliver Saye, a seasoned culinary expert with over 30 years of experience in the food service industry. Hailing from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Chef's journey has taken him from the world of fine dining to retirement communities and not-for-profit organizations. In 2017, he embarked on a new venture, establishing his private business, which now encompasses private catering, food truck operations, staff lunches, retail outlets, and a stand at Lancaster Central Market.

But Chef's story goes beyond mere entrepreneurship. In September 2019, he was selected for the prestigious 18-month Baldwin Program, sponsored by the Lancaster County Community Foundation. This program was a turning point for Chef Oliver, as it led him to undertake a special project that gave birth to "Homage" - a business with a unique purpose. Homage artfully weaves together the tale of his West African ancestors and their journey through the transatlantic slave trade of the Americas, all through the lens of food.

Our second guest, Beverley, is a passionate advocate for small businesses in the Lancaster-Lebanon area. As a Certified Mentor with SCORE, she has dedicated her time and expertise to empower local entrepreneurs. With a vast HR background spanning over 35 years, Beverley has dealt with various challenges and delivered successful business solutions across different regions worldwide. Her recent focus on mergers and acquisitions has equipped her with valuable insights into the intricacies of business growth and development.

Whether you're a food enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the fusion of passion and purpose, this episode is not to be missed! Tune in and be inspired.