For Immediate Release
November 7, 2007
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Assistant
717-787-6709
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Quality Early Education Loan Forgiveness Program available

The Quality Early Education Loan Forgiveness Program is designed to assist recipients of associate's or bachelor's degrees in early childhood education or related fields meet their student loan obligations.

Under the new criteria adopted by PHEAA in 2006, applicants do not need Early Childhood Education certification, and may work in state-registered family child care homes and Head Start programs. Those working in child care centers and group child care homes also remain eligible for the program. Applicants must also maintain full-time employment at the child care facility, and cannot have an annual gross income exceeding $30,000 from that employment.

The program offers annual loan awards equal to 1/6 of the student's qualifying loan debt, up to an annual maximum of $3,300. The maximum forgiveness any student can receive through the program is $9,900.

This program is entirely funded and administered by PHEAA at no cost to taxpayers. You can find more information and an application at www.pheaa.org by clicking "Loan Forgiveness" on the left side of the page.

Free Thanksgiving meals available in 36th District

To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a good meal on Thanksgiving, local organizations will be hosting free meals at the following locations:

• Columbia VFW Post #2435, 4th and Manor Streets, Nov. 17 at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. for seniors only; call Charlie Filtenmerger at 684-7380 for information
• Denver Recreation Center on Main Street, sponsored by Cocalico Area Churches, Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; call Barry Haller at 336-2512 for information
• Ephrata Pioneer Fire Hall, 135 S. State Street, sponsored by Cocalico Area Churches, Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• St. Paul's Church, Orange Street, Lititz, Thanksgiving Day beginning at 11:30 a.m.; reservations required for large groups, call 627-0770
• Zion Lutheran Church, 2 S. Hazel Street, Manheim, Thanksgiving Day beginning at noon; reservations are required by Nov. 18, call 665-5880
• St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 27 E. Main Street, Mount Joy, Thanksgiving Day beginning at noon; call 653-5493 for information
• St. Stephen's United Church of Christ, 249 E. Main Street, New Holland, Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., call 354-7871 for information

Some locations may provide transportation or home-delivered meals. For additional information or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, you can contact United Way LINC at 291-5462.

Did you know…

…the first blood of the Civil War was actually shed just outside Christiana?

Although many people are familiar with the Battle of Bull Run as the first battle of the Civil War, the Christiana Riot (or Resistance) on September 11, 1851, was an early event that escalated tensions to the point of war. That day, a group of freed and runaway slaves resisted a Maryland slave owner who had come to Pennsylvania to reclaim his "property." After the battle at the William Parker house, that slave owner was killed, and when those involved were declared not guilty in a treason trial in Philadelphia, it lit the fiery debate that would spill onto battlefields a decade later.

Frederick Douglass visited Christiana not long after, declaring, "Freedom began here." A visit to Christiana is critical to understanding the Underground Railroad and the events leading up to the Civil War, and I encourage everyone to take the time to fully appreciate the role Christiana played in shaping this country.