LBC Adult Alumni

Leadership Blair County Alumni get Service to Education Award
     The Leadership Blair County Alumni Committee of the Chamber is one of three recipients of the 2019 Service to Education Award, presented by the Altoona Area School District.  The LBC Alumni is being honored for its assistance in providing t-shirts for the STEAM Learning Center at Penn Lincoln Elementary School as well as giving support for additional programming needs.
     “It’s a really significant award for our alumni,” reported Gary Drenning of National Property Inspections, who chairs the LBC Alumni Committee.  “To be able to help young people prepare for their futures is one of the most important things that any of us can do.”
     The Service to Education Award began in 1984 to recognize citizens/organizations in the community who have positively impacted the educational process in Altoona area schools.
     “We traditionally have recognized these folks during American Education Week which is celebrated each November,” noted AASD representative Paula Foreman.
     To date, 131 individuals/ groups have been recognized with this award.    

Accepting the Service to Education Award on behalf of Leadership Blair County Alumni are, left to right: Mandy Murphy or AMTRAN, Nancy McClelland of Reliance Bank, Gary Drenning of National Property Inspections, Jodi Cessna of Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation and Judy Juda of the Blair County Chamber.

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Newest ​Leadership Alumni Campaign Improves Student Morale
Each year, the Leadership Blair County Alumni of the Chamber initiate a cause that helps someone in the local community. For eight years, that cause was “Basket of Hope.” In the 2019, the Alumni has switched direction and has created a program known as “guaran.teez” which raised money to provide a week’s worth of tee-shirts to 378 students at Penn Lincoln Elementary School in Altoona. Of the 378 students enrolled in the program, 337 (89%) of them are considered economically disadvantaged.
“Thanks to the LBC Alumni, every student has received five shirts (4 short sleeved and 1 long sleeved),” explained Penn Lincoln Principal Eric Dambeck. “It’s making a significant difference in how students view themselves and each other and it’s allowing us to create other programs within the school that will encourage involvement.”

Thank you's from the Penn Lincoln students involved in the guaran.teez program

Graduates of the Chamber's Leadership Blair County (LBC) Adult program continue their Servant Leadership journey through their support of Leadership Blair County Alumni projects, as well as, personally volunteering for boards and organizations that have touched their hearts.

LBC Alumni has established the following programs that continue to give back to Blair County:
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In keeping with its Mission Statement, the Alumni of Leadership Blair County are committed to Community Service through Servant Leadership. A new initiative was started in 2014, WeCare Blair County...Helping with the journey. A process was developed which allows for the presentation of a grant (s) to a non –profit organization (s) in Blair County in which a dues-paying alum volunteers.  The amount is based each year on 10% of the treasury balance.

Since 2011, LBC Alumni has assisted the Greater Altoona Economic Development Corporation with the Spirit of Christmas Parade in Downtown Altoona.  Alumni are involved in the staging of the parade divisions and then help with crowd control for everyone’s safety. 

Since 1996, the Alumni has been providing scholarship monies for individuals who are interested in applying for the Leadership Blair County Adult program but do not have sufficient funds to cover all of the tuition. These scholarships are a source of great pride to the members of the Alumni.

LBC Alumni Directory ​