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In this update:
A Warm Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude
This season of Thanksgiving offers us a welcome opportunity to reflect upon the cornucopia of advantages of life in America, which we enjoy and share with others. It is sometimes easy to overlook the many blessings we have in our lives and the many positive interactions we have with each other. We are grateful for those who came before us and handed down the wonderful traditions of this holiday season and the freedom to fully experience them. We are grateful for the family, friends, and neighbors who daily demonstrate the virtues of life in a caring community. We are grateful for the professionals and volunteers who contribute talent and time to making our lives safer, healthier, and more productive. We are grateful to all who strive to preserve and protect our fundamental array of remarkable freedoms set forth in the Bill of Rights. We are grateful for those who encourage us to reach for our better angels in dealing with an increasingly diverse region, state, and nation. We are grateful for all who help to care for, nurture, and instruct our children and grandchildren. As Veterans’ Day reminds, we are fortunate to have so many men and women dedicated to the service and sacrifice of protecting our freedoms. I extend best wishes to you and those around you to have an uplifting, comforting, and joyful Thanksgiving. Local Food Banks Benefit from Hunters Sharing the Harvest In 2021, Pennsylvanians participating in Hunters Sharing the Harvest donated 187,000 pounds of venison to families in need, helping to make their holidays brighter. Hunters Sharing the Harvest allows hunters to donate their extra venison to food pantries and community assistance centers across Pennsylvania via a statewide network of butchers. Over the last 31 years, the program has distributed nearly 2 million pounds of donated meat. An average-sized deer will provide enough high-protein, low-fat meat for 200 meals. Hunters Sharing the Harvest is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity funded by public and private sources. Hunters wanting to help can find the nearest participating meat processor here. Limiting the Hassle of Thanksgiving Travel
Nearly 55 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving. That’s a 1.5% increase over 2021 and 98% of pre-pandemic volumes. One way to get the most current and relevant Pennsylvania traffic information without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel is the 511PA app. 511PA provides real-time, hands-free traffic advisories for every state roadway in Pennsylvania, and for major roadways in neighboring states of New Jersey and West Virginia. The Historic Holiday Traffic page allows users to see how traffic speeds on the Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019 and 2021 compare to traffic conditions during a typical, non-holiday week. Users can choose their region and view an hour-by-hour, color-coded representation of traffic speeds to help them decide the best times to travel during the holiday. AAA says traffic will be lighter before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m. on Wednesday. On Thanksgiving, the best travel times are before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Please Support Small Businesses with Holiday Shopping
While online shopping has its place, local small businesses with brick-and-mortar stores and owners who live nearby are a huge asset to communities. Small Business Saturday is a reminder that these businesses create 65% of jobs in Pennsylvania, and the holiday shopping season is a great opportunity to support them. Many of the goods and services offered by these businesses are locally sourced or crafted, so the effect of buying local is multiplied. Please support our local employers this season and year round.
Please do not reply to this email. If you would like to contact Senator Baker, submit a web contact form here: https://www.senatorbaker.com/contact-me-2/ |
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