Western PA Search and Rescue Development Center

10/19/2026

3.1 MILES. TWO STATES. ONE GREAT CAUSE.

Our Graveyard Gallop 5K may be taking place in Lexington, Kentucky, but you don’t have to travel from Pennsylvania to be part of it! In fact, you can participate from anywhere in the country!

With our VIRTUAL 5K OPTION, you can run or walk your 3.1 miles wherever you choose! Your neighborhood, your favorite trail, or even your treadmill. You pick the location and complete your miles on your own schedule!

Your participation helps support the programs of the Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Development Center (WPSARDC) in both Pennsylvania and Kentucky. From community food markets and outreach efforts to helping individuals and families access essential resources, your registration helps us continue bringing those resources directly into the communities we serve.

And yes, virtual participants can have their race shirts mailed directly to them!

REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL GRAVEYARD GALLOP 5K!

https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Lexington/GraveyardGallop5KRunWalk

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST! Whether your friends and family are in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, or anywhere else, they can participate and help support our programs!

The Graveyard Gallop 5K is on Friday October 30, 2026. It includes the following events: 5K Run/Walk, Virtual Runner/Walker, Race Volunteer, and FREE Kid's Dash.

10/17/2026

𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥?

Maybe it was the way someone spoke to another person. The look on someone’s face. The way their entire demeanor changed when a certain person walked into the room.

Nothing obvious happened. Nobody asked for help. But something about that interaction didn’t sit right with you.

𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚.

You may feel like someone should know what you witnessed, but then come the questions.

Who would I even call? What would I tell them? What happens once I report it?

𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗨𝗣.

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘’𝗦 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗜𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦.

When you contact a reporting hotline, someone will listen. They may ask you to explain what you witnessed, where it happened, who was involved, and whether you believe anyone is in immediate danger.

You aren’t expected to investigate, confront anyone, or figure out exactly what happened. Your responsibility is simply to share what you observed.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗?

That’s okay. Reporting a genuine concern in good faith is very different from knowingly making a false accusation.

Pennsylvania law provides protections for qualifying good-faith reports of suspected child abuse and certain forms of adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Professionals evaluate the information and determine whether any additional steps are necessary.

You may also be able to report anonymously. Pennsylvania ChildLine accepts anonymous reports from people who are not mandated reporters, and anonymous reporting is available for suspected elder abuse. Confidentiality has limits, and laws vary by state.

𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗬

𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘
1-888-373-7888
Text 233733
For suspected trafficking or guidance.

𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘
1-800-799-7233
Text START to 88788
For confidential support, safety planning, and guidance. This is not an official crime-reporting service.

𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗦𝗬𝗟𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘
1-800-932-0313
For suspected child abuse or neglect.

𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗦𝗬𝗟𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗔 𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 / 𝗘𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘
1-800-490-8505
For suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older adults or adults ages 18–59 with qualifying disabilities.

𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗦𝗬𝗟𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗔?

Find the appropriate reporting resources for your state:

𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦
https://childhelphotline.org/identify-abuse/

𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦
https://www.napsa-now.org/help-in-your-area/

𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬: 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝟵𝟭𝟭.

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST!!

The more people who have this information, the better prepared our communities will be.

10/16/2026

We want to thank The Penn Hills Community Garden, Giant Eagle and 412 Food Rescue for the continuing support of our communities through food distribution at our open market. With their help, we can make accessing food easier for underserved communities. We are immensely grateful for their generosity. 🙏🏻❤️

10/15/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗧!

Next Wednesday, October 21, we will be back at Centre Meadows Apartments, bringing food and essential household items directly into the community!

We also have our 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 going on, and helping couldn't be easier!

Take a look at our Amazon Wish List, pick out whatever you would like to donate, and it will be shipped directly to us! There are individual items and bulk packages, so every contribution, big or small, helps us stock our tables for the community.

𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗭𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1VRFHW6SN1GWJ?ref_=wl_share

𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
5–7 PM
Centre Meadows Apartments
1333 Centre Parkway, Lexington, KY 40517

𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧!

Whether someone needs to visit our Food Market and choose what they need or would like to donate to help stock our tables, we want them to know about it.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽!

10/14/2026

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘, 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗?

For many people, it's a woman being hurt or threatened by a man.

But what if we told you that picture doesn't tell the whole story?

𝗠𝗘𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗕𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘, 𝗧𝗢𝗢.

According to the CDC, an estimated 𝟮𝟬.𝟳 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗡 in the United States have experienced physical violence, contact sexual violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.

Husbands. Boyfriends. Fathers. Brothers. Straight men. Gay men. Men from every background and walk of life.

Domestic violence isn't always physical. It can involve threats, humiliation, manipulation, financial control, and isolation. It can happen in heterosexual and same-sex relationships.

Yet many male victims hesitate to speak up, fearing they won't be believed, will be laughed at, or will be told to toughen up. Gay men may face additional barriers, including threats of being outed or concerns about discrimination when seeking help.

𝗕𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦𝗡'𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and awareness means looking beyond the image we have grown accustomed to seeing.

Every victim deserves to be believed, heard, and supported, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧. Because domestic violence awareness should include every victim, not just the ones we expect.

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲
Call: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: START to 88788
www.thehotline.org

Source: CDC, National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2023–2024

10/12/2026

😂

I woke up that morning feeling safe.
The house smelled normal.
My bed was warm.
The world made sense.

Then I saw him.
A man was standing in my house.
He was wearing Dad’s clothes.
He was drinking Dad’s coffee.
He was using Dad’s mug.

But something was wrong.
Dad had no beard.

NO.

BEARD.

Let me be clear:

Dad has always had a beard.

Since before time.

Since before treats.

Since before me.

Beard = Dad.

No beard = IMPOSTER.

I froze.

Ears back.

Tail unsure.

Eyes locked.

The man smiled at me.

“Good morning, buddy!”

Buddy???

Sir, do not “buddy” me.

I backed away slowly, growling the growl that means I am polite but prepared.

Mom noticed.

“Zeus, what’s wrong?” she asked.

I looked at her like,

“WOMAN, THERE IS A STRANGER IN OUR KITCHEN.”

She laughed.

“Zeus, that’s Dad.”

Excuse me??

That is not Dad.

That is a smooth-faced liar.

The man crouched down.

He held out his hand.

Just when you thought the situation couldn’t get worse…

It did.

Remember Fake Dad?

Smooth face. Same smell. Zero trust.

I was still hiding behind the couch, processing the fact that faces are removable, when Fake Dad made another critical error.

He moved suddenly.

Toward me.

In my defense, I reacted purely on instinct.

This was not aggression.

This was self-preservation mixed with confusion and poor depth perception.

I launched forward.

Not to attack.

Not to bite.

Just a warning jump.

A dramatic jump.

A miscalculated jump.

And that’s when it happened.

My paw.

His body.

The No-No Zone.
💥

Time stopped.

Dad made a noise I have never heard before.

A sound that started as a gasp, turned into a squeak, and ended as a whispered prayer.

“Oooof—oh—NO—no no no no—”

He dropped to his knees like a fallen warrior.

Mom screamed,

“Oh my GOD, ZEUS!”

I froze.

I looked at my paw.

What… did I touch?

Dad curled on the floor, holding himself like his soul was trying to leave his body.

“I think… I think he broke me,” he whispered.

I panicked.

I licked his face.

I licked his hand.

I offered emotional support immediately.

THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE PLAN.

Mom was laughing and yelling at the same time.

“You scared him AND kicked him?!” she said.

Dad wheezed,

“I shaved my beard and paid the ultimate price.”

I sat beside him, ears down, eyes big, full of regret.

I didn’t mean to hit the forbidden button.

I didn’t even know humans had one.

After several minutes, Dad stood up slowly—like a man who had seen too much.

He looked at me and said,

“Buddy… we’re good.”

I wasn’t convinced.

I stayed five feet away for the rest of the day.

Just in case.

So now let’s review the damage:

• Dad lost his beard

• Dad lost his dignity

• Dad almost lost the family name

• Mom lost her ability to breathe from laughing

• I lost all future trust in sudden movements

Dad has since regrown his beard.

Coincidence?

I think not.

And if you’re wondering whether I ever jumped at him again?

Absolutely not.

I learned my lesson.

The No-No Zone is sacred.

Sincerely,

Zeus the Pomsky

Accidental Menace

Certified Beard Trauma Survivor

10/09/2026

𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we want to make sure our community knows that help is available right here in the Pittsburgh area.

Domestic violence doesn't always leave visible bruises. Sometimes it's fear, intimidation, isolation, control, or constantly walking on eggshells in your own home.

No one should have to live in fear, and no one should have to face these situations alone.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻.

𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗦𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗛 𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 & 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝘁𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗵
24/7 Crisis Hotline: 412-687-8005
Emergency shelter, safety planning, legal advocacy, and confidential support.

𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵
24/7 Crisis Hotline: 412-364-5556
Text: 877-522-6093 (9 AM–9 PM daily)
Counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, and support for individuals and families.

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘀
24/7 Crisis Hotline: 866-644-2882
Crisis counseling, advocacy, and support for victims of violence and crime.

𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲-𝗞𝗶𝘀𝗸𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿
24/7 Crisis Hotline: 724-224-1266
Emergency shelter, crisis intervention, and support for survivors of domestic violence.

𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘

Call: 800-799-7233
Text: START to 88788
www.thehotline.org

𝗜𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿? 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟵𝟭𝟭.

Sometimes the first step toward safety is simply knowing where to turn.

You may never need these resources yourself, but someone in our community might.

10/07/2026

THAT OLD PHONE SITTING IN YOUR DRAWER? SOMEONE MAY NEED IT TO START OVER.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we’re asking you to put it to work.

We are collecting cell phones, tablets and other usable devices that can connect to the internet for survivors of domestic violence.

For someone leaving an abusive situation, a safe device can mean being able to contact an advocate, find housing, arrange transportation, apply for a job, reach family or simply ask for help — without relying on a device that may be controlled or monitored by an abuser.

Sometimes leaving means leaving the phone behind, too.

Have a device to donate? We’ll even help make it easy with drop-off OR pickup.

Pittsburgh Area:
412-856-HELP (4357)

Lexington Area:
859-467-8046

That phone may not be worth much sitting in your drawer.

But in the right hands, its value could be immeasurable.

Please SHARE this post. Someone on your friends list probably has exactly what we need.

10/06/2026

CHEWY SHOPPERS — YOUR ORDER CAN DO DOUBLE THE GOOD!

Now through October 10, Chewy is offering 2X donations through iGive when you shop in support of Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Development Center!

And it doesn't cost you anything extra.

HERE'S HOW:

1. Go to iGive:
https://www.igive.com/

2. Sign in or create a FREE iGive account.

3. Choose your cause and search:
Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Development Center

4. Once WPSARDC is selected, search for Chewy.

5. Click Shop Now to go from iGive to Chewy.

6. Shop Chewy just like you normally would!

That's it! Your pets get their food, treats, toys and supplies, you pay what you normally would, and your purchase generates a donation to WPSARDC.

And through October 10, Chewy donations are DOUBLED!

Already ordering from Chewy anyway? Start at iGive and make that order do a little extra good.

iGive:
https://www.igive.com/

Want to make it even easier for future shopping? Install the iGive Button:
https://www.igive.com/button

Please SHARE this with your Chewy-shopping friends!

Since 1997, iGive.com helps you support Your Favorite Cause with your shopping. Free. Over 1,400 stores pay for it. You can support ANY cause, including new causes that you can add to our list of over 100,000 causes and charities. Change your shopping for good.

10/01/2026

October has arrived in Pittsburgh, and there is A LOT going on! 🍂

From Oktoberfest Pittsburgh and the Penguins 6.6K Run & Family Walk to Monster Pumpkins, fall festivals, Halloween events and everything in between, October is shaping up to be a busy month around the Burgh!

And we have plenty happening at WPSARDC, too!

Our October edition of The Community Chronicle is scheduled to come out Monday, which means there’s still time to get on the list before it hits inboxes!

📬 Visit www.wpsardc.org and sign up for The Community Chronicle today!

Catch up on what we’ve been doing, see what’s coming up, find events and fundraisers you can participate in, and discover ways to get involved.

Now, Pittsburgh… where do you stand on October?

👍 if you’re checking out Oktoberfest Pittsburgh!

❤️ if you’re ready for hockey season!

😆 if Halloween and all the fall festivities are your favorite part of October!

Share this post — there’s too much happening this October to keep it to ourselves!

Missing Persons, Homeless Outreach, Human Trafficking, Adults with Disabilities and Autism, Alzheimer's Western Pennsylvania Search & Rescue Development Center