DANVILLE — One spunky octogenarian in flapper dress worked fundraising magic Sunday, turning a Roaring ’20s-themed tea into $2,300 for the Gate House Homeless Shelter.
Lois Gensil, whose daughters debated whether she was 82 or 83, but opted to go with the lower number, didn’t sit down except to have her picture taken at the end of the event, orchestrating a dance lesson, raffle of 17 donated gift baskets and an old-time sing-along, while volunteers served beverages and elegant snacks.
Most of the 40 guests arrived in appropriate period dress with Nancy Wagner, of Riverside, sporting a black sheath with layered fringe that accented her demonstration of the Charleston.
Fifteen of the guests tried the “touch-step, touch-step” as Wagner instructed, accompanied by Danville’s Kay Heim on the piano. Later, Heim and Suzanne Walzer, visiting from West Palm Beach, teamed up, singing and guitar playing, respectively, to enliven some old-fashioned songs like “Has Anybody Seen My Gal?”
Gensil, a retired gym teacher, is on the Gate House board and has dedicated herself to getting the facility back on sound financial footing since it lost most of its endowment in the recent stock market crash.
The shelter opened in 1995 after local residents established there was a critical need. Clients must be from Columbia or Montour counties and are taken by referral only.
Gensil, who has served on the board for about 10 years, was upset that the help it gives had to be curtailed.
“We’re turning people away,” she said. “It’s so sad.”
Her daughters, Sue Jensen, of Danville, and Vicki Smith, of Mifflinburg, said Gensil’s interest in the shelter is a natural offshoot of her caring for the hungry by founding the Jubilee Kitchen in Danville nearly 20 years ago. The operation served free meals to the poor on Saturdays.
Gate House Director Cheryl Hornberger said it costs about $8,000 a month to run the shelter when it’s near capacity, which is about three families and 15 individuals. Last year, the shelter housed about 15 children from newborn to age 16, she said, and the families stayed 60 days to six months.
Normally, the shelter gets a state grant, but this year’s has been held up by the state budget delay, Hornberger said.
The board is waiting to hear if it will get the two-year, $135,000 grant for operating expenses for which it has applied. Board President Bill Klink said the likelihood is it will be a one-year grant for less money.
Due to the financial crunch, there are only two people staying at the shelter, a drop from 41 earlier this year, Hornberger said. She said she hopes the problem will be resolved by Nov. 1.
“I’m refusing people every day,” she said. “I’m refusing families with children every day because we don’t have the money to do what we need to do.”
The Gate House has six rooms and a staff area downstairs that can be turned into housing space with cots if needed.
Money received through donations and events covers day-to-day expenses, including utilities and food, she said, which is why fundraisers, like the one Gensil arranged, are vital.
“The bottom line is it’s getting real cold out there, people are in their vehicles, in the streets, because our hands are tied,” Hornberger said. “Whatever help may be out there, we need it and as soon as possible. We need to get these people into a warm facility where there is food. Now, there just isn’t anything we can do.”
In Sunbury, Cathy Teisher, executive director of Haven Ministries, said the shelter saw an increase in food requests, which she believes was due to the state budget delay and state workers not receiving paychecks. She said the 20 people housed there now is about average, but once the budget was passed, food requests were back to normal levels.
Teisher said the food bank is well supplied. “Churches and individuals are very generous. There’s more of a need, but those who are able to give are giving more.”
A United Way organization, the facility is supported primarily by churches, organizations and individuals. Money donated goes to general operating expenses.
News
Related Photos
-
Liz Rohde / The Daily Item
Discussion
Tea raises $2,300 for Gate House Homeless Shelter
- News
-
-
Raw milk remains popular, despite illnesses
WASHINGTON — The popularity of unpasteurized raw milk remains strong despite warnings from public health officials about its dangers and outbreaks of bacterial infections. In the latest case untreated contaminated milk from a Pennsylvania farm has sickened 38 people on the East Coast. It's a reminder of the risks of consuming milk bottled straight from the cow.
-
State Supreme Court explains legislative redistricting decision
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court today explained its reasons for rejecting the state's legislative redistricting plan last week, and a justice who disagreed with the ruling said this year's races will have to be held under the existing, decade-old maps.
-
Heinz Endowments fund Flight 93 oral histories
PITTSBURGH — A project to compile oral histories of those connected to the crash of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 will continue for at least the next three years due to a $225,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments.
-
LARA looks ahead
LEWISBURG -- The Lewisburg Community Pool and spring and summer schedule of events are the big concerns these days for those running the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority. Officials are confident they finally have the regional recreation authority's financial situation under control.
-
Wirth not first driver to face murder charge
LEWISBURG -- Christopher Wirth isn't the first person to face a third-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal crash in Union County. "A death involving a vehicle can support third-degree murder depending on the acts of the subject," District Attorney D. Peter Johnson said Thursday.
-
Bumpy ride for prison officers
SUNBURY -- It's been a rough week for two Northumberland County Prison commanders who were suspended without pay, had their wages reinstated, were laid off and then rehired. On Monday, Brian Wheary was suspended without pay from his $36,030-a-year position as commander. By Thursday, the 37-year-old was back on the job.
-
Reality TV star ready for visit
SHAMOKIN -- Ron Shirley has never been to Shamokin, has never been to the Valley at all, but he has an idea of what's waiting for him here. "The only thing I expect is to meet friendly, honest people," said Shirley, a star of the hit Tru TV reality series, "Lizard Lick Towing."
-
Masser to seek 2nd term
ELYSBURG -- State Rep. Kurt Masser, a Republican from Elysburg, announced Thursday that he will seek a second term representing the 107th Legislative District in the state House. "I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking a second term to represent the people of our area," he said. "We've accomplished a lot in our first term, but there is so much more to do. I want to keep being an independent voice for our community in Harrisburg."
-
West Milton man arraigned on robbery charges
A West Milton man is the second suspect in an armed robbery at a West Buffalo Township convenience store Saturday night. Michael Gulli, 41, of 310 Broad St., was arrested by Milton state police who said Gulli was involved in pointing a gun at two employees of the Forest Hill Store, on Buffalo Road, in Union County, and threatening to kill them.
-
Show guns for 1,500
LEWISBURG -- Hundreds of long rifles and other Colonial weapons that helped win the Revolutionary War and forge a nation will be on display -- and some, for sale -- today through Saturday at the fifth annual 18th Century Artisan Show.
-
VIDEO: Social media command center helps Super Bowl visitors
Indianapolis is the first Super Bowl host city to utilize the power of Twitter and other social media to help football fans get the most out of football's biggest event.
-
Tim Burns drops out of U.S. Senate race
HARRISBURG — An entrepreneur from southwestern Pennsylvania is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate now that the Republican Party has endorsed another candidate.
- More News Headlines
-
