The East Lycoming Education Foundation (ELEF) will be hosting their second annual Celebration of PA Woods & Wilds event at the Hughesville Fairgrounds on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This year’s focus is on the lumber industry in Pennsylvania. There will be wood carvers, nature artists, water exploration, all about fishing (including the new Hughesville High School Fly Fishing Club), hiking and biking, a horseback ride for the kids, food trucks and more. Several vendors will present demonstrations as a make-and-take learning experience for kids. All vendors make their living or partial living, or are caretakers of nature, and are devoted to increasing knowledge and care of Pennsylvania woods environments.

Sponsors are an important source of support for ELEF. As of this writing, dedicated sponsors include Lewis Lumber, Wagner Lumber, Woodlands Bank, and Family Practice Center. Sponsors can be organizations or individuals and may designate particular programs or topics to sponsor.

The East Lycoming Education Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit education-only organization, which was started eight years ago by Mike Pawlik, former Superintendent. He is currently the Executive Director. President is Geneva Peck; Vice-President, Brian McClintock; and Donna Gavitt is Treasurer. Diane Santo, Rachel Kirk, Donna Gavitt and Brian McClintock make up the all-volunteer board and are the Woods & Wilds event committee.

Monies are accepted through EITC donations, alumni Memorial funds, student scholarships, and programs for education not funded through regular revenues, for the East Lycoming School District. In the past, ELEF has funded technology (VEX Robotics) for the Innovation Center at the JSHS, Summer Fun Camps (before CoVid) innovative teacher grants and from last year’s fundraising, FREE books for Pre-K families from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (in process) and $10K for school assemblies.

Questions about the event, participating as a vendor, or becoming a sponsor may be directed to Donna Gavitt at 570-772-6015. There is also an East Lycoming Education Foundation Facebook page.