Senator Keefer E-Newsletter

View this email in a browser

In this Update:

  • York County Veterans Celebration and Breakfast
  • Nominate a Veteran for a $10,000 Heating/Cooling System
  • Join Us for a Concealed Carry Seminar Oct. 17
  • Help Provide Baby Essentials to PA Army National Guard Families
  • MilitaryShare Helps Veterans Access Food Assistance
  • Free Transportation Available for Veterans
  • Accelerating Access to Veterans’ Benefits and Employment Opportunities
  • Certified Veteran-Owned Businesses Gain New Opportunities
  • Discount on YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket
  • Fall Home Improvement Deals

Important Notice – My offices will be closed for in-person services on Monday, Oct. 12 in observance of Columbus Day. Virtual services will continue to be accessible via my website.


York County Veterans Celebration and Breakfast

A picture of the American flag with a picture frame with the words Thank You Veterans.

York County will honor local veterans during its annual Veterans Celebration and Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 7, in the Mid-Atlantic Industrial Equipment Memorial Hall West at the York County Expo Center, 335 Carlisle Road, York.

Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m., followed by the program at 8:30 a.m. This year’s keynote speaker will be Col. Andrew J. Bogusky, U.S. Air Force.

Veterans, their families and members of the community are encouraged to attend this special morning of recognition and appreciation.

For more information, visit the York County Department of Veterans Affairs webpage or call 717-771-9218.

Nominate a Veteran for a $10,000 Heating/Cooling System

A picture of an air conditioning unit behind a house.

Handyside Plumbing, HVAC & Electrical is giving central Pennsylvania residents an opportunity to recognize a veteran in their life through the 2026 Operation Home Comfort giveaway. The York County company is giving away a new American Standard home comfort heating and cooling system valued at $10,000, customized to the veteran’s home and professionally installed at no cost.

If you know a veteran who could benefit from a new heating and cooling system, consider nominating them and sharing their story. The winner will be announced on Nov. 11. To learn more or submit a nomination, click here.

Join Us for a Concealed Carry Seminar Oct. 17

Picture of a pistol tucked in the pants belt.

I invite area gun owners to join Rep. George Margetas for a Concealed Carry Seminar on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at the West Manchester Farmers and Sportsman’s Association, 4900 Pine Hill Road, Dover.

Attorney Seth Springer will discuss the rights of gun owners and provide information about concealed carry. Northern York County Regional Police Department Detective Jonathan Bailey, a firearms instructor, also will be on hand to share his expertise and answer questions. My staff will be available to provide information about state services and resources.

This seminar will cover your rights as a gun owner, Pennsylvania firearms laws, the concealed carry permit application process and safe concealed carry practices. Registration is required. To reserve your spot, please call Rep. Margetas’ office at 717-767-3947.

Help Provide Baby Essentials to PA Army National Guard Families

A graphic with pink and blue colors that says, “PA Army National Guard Baby Bundles. We’re collecting brand-new baby essentials for our baby bundles for new PA ARNG families.”

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard is asking for community support to help enlisted families prepare for the arrival of a baby. Donations of new baby essentials are being accepted, including wipes, lotion, blankets, socks and mittens, bibs and burp cloths, pacifiers, teethers, board books and thermometers.

For the safety of recipient families, all donated items must be brand new, unused and in their original packaging. Monetary donations are not being accepted. For more information about the Baby Bundles Program and how to donate, click here.

MilitaryShare Helps Veterans Access Food Assistance

A picture of two grocery bags filled with fruits and vegetables.

For veterans facing rising household expenses, putting nutritious food on the table can sometimes be an added challenge. MilitaryShare, a program of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, helps eligible veterans and their families access groceries at familiar community locations, including veterans organizations and military facilities.

The program provides a variety of foods to supplement household grocery needs and connects veterans with resources close to home. If you or a veteran you know could benefit from this program, below are MilitaryShare distribution locations and contact information for Cumberland and York counties.

Cumberland County Locations

Mechanicsburg Calvary: 717-682-1012
Lemoyne JFT Recovery: 717-695-6253
Carlisle Selfless Service: 717-991-3471

York County Locations
Mission Military FoodShare: 484-894-3724
New Cumberland American Legion Post 974: 717-695-1477
Roots For Boots: 717-316-0155
Shiloh American Legion Post 791: 717-585-6526
York VET Helping Hands: 717-900-4742

Free Transportation Available for Veterans

A picture of hands on the driving wheel of a vehicle.

Veterans in Cumberland and York counties can access free transportation through a partnership between their respective county departments of veterans affairs and rabbittransit. Veterans are encouraged to complete a basic application for Shared Ride service, which can supplement existing transportation options for medical appointments, pharmacy trips, grocery shopping and other essential needs.

The Shared Ride program also helps expand transportation opportunities, allowing more veterans to access the services they need. For more information about the program and to access the application, visit rabbittransit Veterans Transportation.

Accelerating Access to Veterans’ Benefits and Employment Opportunities

Picture of the American flag with a paper that says “Military Benefits”.

Under a recent executive order, federal agencies must update their technology systems and policies to give veterans quicker access to the benefits they earned through their military service.

The Accelerating Access to Veterans’ Benefits and Employment Opportunities Executive Order directs the Departments of War and Veterans Affairs to improve their sharing of military personnel and medical records from the time an individual enlists until they no longer require veterans’ benefits. They must also streamline the application process for and access to benefits for veterans.

The order also requires updates of the Transition Assistance Program and other veteran workforce programs to ensure service members leaving active military service are either connected to a job or enrolled in career and technical education, as well as connected with appropriate veterans’ representatives to assist them with applying for healthcare, disability, home loan, job placement or education benefits.

Certified Veteran-Owned Businesses Gain New Opportunities

Picture of two hands shaking with construction papers and yellow hard hat in the background.

Pennsylvania veteran-owned small businesses that get certified can be listed on a state database, opening doors to state contracting opportunities.

To qualify for certification, businesses must be at least 51% veteran-owned, meet “small business” revenue and size standards, and hold a valid third-party certification.

The state does not certify a business as veteran owned; it only verifies it. Find out how to obtain certification and third-party verification at the Department of General Services.

Discount on YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket

Picture of an American flag with a football laying on top.

YouTube TV offers NFL Sunday Ticket for $198 for the military community verified through ID.me. NFL Sunday Ticket gives fans the ability to watch their favorite NFL teams’ out-of-market Sunday games, enjoy unlimited streams at home, view key plays and watch up to four live games on one screen in multiview.

Fall Home Improvement Deals

Picture of a house surrounded by fall leaves.

  • Lowe’s offers 10% off for active-duty military, veterans and spouses verified through ID.me.
  • The Home Depot offers 10% off for active service members, veterans and their spouses verified through their mobile app.  
Facebook Twitter/X Instagram LinkdedIn Website

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorkeefer.com | Privacy Policy