BOARD AND COMMITTEES
We Oversee Five Committees
Making a Difference of Lebanon, PA is managed by a Board of Directors consisting of no more than twelve directors. We are all volunteers dedicated to our mission and giving back to our community. The Officers of the Board are the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Public Relations Secretary. We oversee five committees: Events/Education, Fundraising, Special Events, Community Service/Special Projects, and Scholarship.
Cornell Wilson
President
Cornell was one of the Co-Founders of Making a Difference, and he is the current President of the Board. Cornell was born and raised in Lebanon, PA. He was a graduate of Lebanon Senior High School and went on to obtain a BA in Sociology at Lebanon Valley College. Cornell has dedicated his life to helping youth and being an active member of his community. In the past, Cornell was a soccer and basketball coach, a foster parent, a Rotary member, a member of St. John A.M.E Church, a Latino Health Fair Committee member, a SARCC board member, and a house parent for Lebanon County Children and Youth. In his profession, he has always worked in social services. Additionally, he is an Advertising Executive for Your Advertiser. He is a former elected member of the Lebanon School Board and Lebanon City Council.
Sommer VanBrunt
Vice-President and Special Events Comm. Chair
Summer was born and raised in Lebanon and currently resides in North Cornwall with her husband and two teenage sons. She is a Community Banking Manager with Ephrata National Bank. Additionally, she serves on the council for Leadership Lebanon Valley and volunteers for various other outreach programs in the Lebanon community. Summer looks forward to continuing to make a difference in a community that has so much to offer.
Cindy Schlegel
Cindy has lived in the City of Lebanon most of her life, along with her husband, two children, and grandchildren. She has been involved in many volunteer opportunities, including the Northside Neighborhood Elm Street Program to coordinate community activities for the holidays, picnics, back to school events, and a community garden.
Mario Nardone
Fundraising Chair
Mario grew up, mostly, in Lebanon City and now lives in Annville with his wife and son. He works in IT and is currently the IT Manager for JBT. Mario has always loved helping others and giving back to the community and he looks forward to continuing that with Making A difference.
Paige Rivera-Fansler
Treasurer
Born and raised in Lebanon, Paige is deeply committed to enhancing the welfare of my hometown through dedicated community engagement and service. Graduating from Lebanon Catholic in 2013, Paige pursued Psychology at Shippensburg University. Currently, she serves as the Branch Experience Manager at JBT, a community bank, where she has been employed since 2016.
Alisher Aminov
Secretary
Alisher has lived in Lebanon city for the majority of his life, working within the community in any way he can. In 2017 Alisher founded, and is currently the director of education for, Yellow Brick Robotics (a 501©3 educational nonprofit based in Lebanon). Additionally, as a commercially license drone pilot Alisher owns and operates a private videography production business based in Lebanon City. To Alisher, the well-being of Lebanon is personal. In his free time he is an activist, volunteer, neighbor, friend, etc... and he wants to make a difference.
Rafael Arvelo Castillo
Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, he earned a degree in Marketing plus an MBA. He worked at Verizon Dominicana for 15 years as a product development executive. He was the founder, first president and active member of the Dominican Association of Nature Photographers (adfona.org.do), a pro-environmental non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the beauty of that island to raise awareness about the fragile situation of endemic birds. He came to Pennsylvania 5 years ago with his wife, Amanda, in search of the American dream. Actually he works at RANDSTAD as an HR site manager.
Keith Pemrick
Keith is a founding member and managing partner of Commonwealth Strategic Partners (CSP), a lobbying firm in both Washington, DC and Harrisburg, PA. Prior to CSP, he spent over 12 years as a senior advisor to former Congressman Tim Holden, including 2003-2012 when the Congressman represented Lebanon County. Keith serves as an adjunct professor in government at American University. Keith settled in South Lebanon Township in March 2021, where he lives with his girlfriend, Carly, and her two daughters. He stays active by going to the Lebanon YMCA and playing tennis and golf and looks forward to giving back to the Lebanon community.
Francy Reigert
Co-chair of Events/Education Committee
Francy presently resides in Lebanon with her husband Shannon and two daughters. A Lebanon County resident for her entire life, she graduated from ELCO and went to Lebanon Valley College to pursue education. She has been with the Lebanon School District her entire career and wants to give back to the community who helped mold her into the person she is today. Her core value is positive people produce positive results, and she wants to lead by example for her daughters, Mia and Ozlynde, as well as her students. She looks forward to working on the Events and Activities Committee to bring joy and camaraderie to the community.
Greg Fry
Grew up in Southern York County, served in the United States Navy for 7 ½ years, traveling to various locations such as Sicily, Florida, California, and Washington DC. He earned his Associates Degree in Business Administration in 2007. In 2021, he moved to Lebanon after accepting a role with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, where he helps Disabled Veterans obtain property tax relief. Greg first volunteered with our organization before joining as a board member.
Our Committees
1
Special Events
Our Special Events committee organizes some of Making A Difference of Lebanon, PA's most significant gatherings. This team oversees the planning and execution of our Annual Awards and Appreciation Reception, Summer Games, Trunk or Treat, and our Holiday Mixer.
3
Events/Education
Our community committee hosts a variety of fun events for all ages, including Back to School Festivals, Pizza Making Contests, and Game Nights. We also organize educational initiatives such as STEM Camps, theater camps, and fundraisers like Adopt a Family for Christmas. Education is central to our mission, ensuring that all our activities contribute to the development of the Lebanon community.
2
Fundraising
As the heart of our organization's fundraising efforts, our committee organizes diverse events like the Annual Appeal, Dinner Clubs, Mardi Gras Dance, 5k race, Spaghetti Dinner, Bingo, and Raffles. Lacking federal or state funding, the responsibility to support our cause lies with us. Each event is tailored to engage our community and secure the resources necessary for our mission. From social gatherings to competitive races, we offer something for everyone.
4
Community Service and Special Projects
Making A Difference of Lebanon PA is dedicated to enhancing our community to create a safer and more welcoming environment for all residents. Our efforts range from organizing park revitalizations and community cleanups to hosting events like the Community Christmas Meal, Toiletries Collection Drive, Veterans Breakfast, and creating murals.
5
Scholarship
Our committee is looking for students who are actively serving their community and school, whose values align with our mission, and who exemplify positive community service and involvement. Lebanon County seniors are encouraged to apply for this scholarship opportunity.