State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

*

*Good News**

*
[image =
[link removed]]*

*2022
Wrapped!*

The Senate District 38 2022 Wrapped numbers are here! As
we reach the end of 2022, I want to share some highlights of my team's
accomplishments this year. We are proud of all we've achieved for the
residents of the 38th district and look forward to continuing to serve
you in 2023.

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Upcoming
Events**

*
[image =
[link removed]]*

*Event
Survey - we want to hear from you!*

We're planning our event
calendar for 2023 and would love your input! Let us know what types of
events and topics you are interested in by completing a brief survey
at Senator Williams Event Survey (senatorlindseywilliams.com) [link
1].

*

*2022 Events Review**

This week we are looking back at
my experience with Pittsburgh Firefighters Fire Ops!

[image =
[link removed]]

*Pittsburgh
Firefighters Fire Opps*

In September I was invited to participate
in the Pittsburgh Firefighters [link 2] Fire Ops again. This is an
immersive training for legislators to experience first-hand just a
little bit of what our firefighters do everyday. In 2019 I was able to
take part in the whole experience, so this year I just stopped by to
see my colleagues as they got to take in the full program -- and to
learn how to use the Jaws of Life. Included here are photos from this
year and 2019. Thank you to all of our firefighters for all you do
every single day to keep us safe.

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*COVID-19**

*
[image
=
[link removed]]*

*Free
COVID Tests by Mail *

Free COVID tests are available again through
the U.S. Mail at COVIDtests.gov [link 3]. The site has information
about testing and a link to the U.S. Postal Service where you can
order up to four rapid tests to be sent to your home address. You can
also order your kits by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Your kits will be mailed within 7 to 12 days.

[image =
[link removed]]

[image
=
[link removed]]
[link 4]

*REAL ID Deadline Extended - Again!*

In case you missed
it, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security [link 5] announced the
extension of the REAL ID full enforcement deadline by 24 months, from
May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025.

Starting May 7, 2025, Pennsylvanians
will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license/photo ID card or
another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid
passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or
enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID.
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 following a 9/11
Commission recommendation. The Act establishes minimum security
standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards,
including anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud,
and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is
who they claim to be.

For complete information on REAL ID and what
is required, go to PennDOT's REAL ID page [link 6].

Our office is
here to help if you have any questions or need help verifying you have
the necessary documents [link 7]. Make an appointment by calling
412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison) or email us at
[email protected] [link 8]. We're here to
help!

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 9]

*Charitable Giving Tips*

This is the season for
planning charitable giving and the Pennsylvania Department of State
[link 10] is a great resource to help consumers make sure their
contributions are going to legitimate charitable organizations and
causes and not to charity scams.

Charity scam red flags:

-
*Similar sounding name:* Scammers often use names that sound similar
to legitimate charities to intentionally create confusion.

-
*High-pressure sales*: Fraudsters will try to force a hasty decision
by turning up the pressure. They may cold call, identifying you as a
previous contributor, and asking for your renewed support or to update
your credit card information. These attempts rely on catching
consumers off guard to extract financial information.

-
*100%
guarantee*:
Most people want to ensure that their donations are going
toward legitimate program expenses. Every organization has some level
of administrative cost. An organization that promises that 100% of
your funds are going directly to an individual in need might require
additional scrutiny.

-
*Donation by wire transfer*: Legitimate
charities will NOT ask you to make payment via money order or wire
transfer. If you are being solicited for a donation and are asked to
pay by these means, hang up immediately.

-
*Donation by gift
card*: A charity may ask for donations of gift cards to supply to
someone in need, but you should never read the information from a gift
card over the phone or provide it via email. It is best to verify the
legitimacy of the charity, take the physical gift card donation to the
charity location, and request documentation of your
contribution.

Best practices to avoid charity scams:

-
*Do
your homework before giving*:

-
Department of State's online
charities database [link 11]: verify that an organization is
registered to solicit in Pennsylvania and to see its financial
information about expenses for program services, fundraising and
management.

-
Department of State's Bureau of Corporations and
Charitable Organizations enforcement and disciplinary actions page
[link 12]: check whether an organization has been subject to
corrective action..

-
Internal Revenue Service [link 13]
tax-exempt organization registry: check whether an organization is
registered.

-
BBB Wise Giving Alliance [link 14], Charity
Navigator [link 15] and CharityWatch [link 16] and CharityWatch [link
17]:
information and ratings about charitable organizations.

-
*Don't feel pressured to donate on the spot*: Do research before
sharing your money or information.

-
*Check websites closely*:
Charity scams can be vehicles for identity theft by directing victims
to fake websites where personal and financial information can be
stolen.

-
*Avoid wire transfer or money order donations*: Any
requests for these kinds of payments should be approached with
caution.

-
*Direct your payment to the charity*:
Never make a
check payable to an individual; write the check to the verified
organization.

If you think you have been the victim of a charity
scam:

-
Contact the Department of State's Division of Charities
Investigation Unit/Audits at [email protected] [link 18] or use the
department's online complaint form [link 19].

-
File a report
with the Federal Trade Commission at [link removed]
[link 20]

-
Contact local law enforcement through non-emergency
channels.

[image =
[link removed]]

*Pine
Township Noon Years Eve!*

Pine Township's [link 21] Noon Year's Eve
event is returning again this year! This event allows kids to
celebrate New Year's Eve at an earlier time with music, crafts, an ice
cream bar, and more! At 12:00pm there will be a balloon drop and there
will be gym play till the end of the event. To sign up for the event
click here [link 22].* *

[image =
[link removed]]

*PA
State Park First Day Hikes on New Year's Day*

Get off to a healthy
start in 2023 with a "First Day Hike" in a Pennsylvania State Park on
January 1st. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
(DCNR) [link 23] will
host over 50 free, guided hikes in 34 state
parks and three forest districts on New Year's Day as part of the
nationwide "First Day Hike" effort. These hikes offer families an
opportunity to begin rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors and
are a reminder that our state parks and forests are open for healthy
outdoor adventures in all four seasons, including winter.

State
parks staff and volunteers lead the hikes, which are usually about one
or two miles, but can be longer depending on the park and its terrain.
The following Pennsylvania State Park facilities are participating
during daylight hours January 1, 2023:

-
Black Moshannon

-
Blue Knob

-
Caledonia

-
Canoe Creek

-
Codorus

-
Cook Forest

-
Cowans Gap

-
Delaware Canal

-
French
Creek

-
Gifford Pinchot

-
Hills Creek

-
Jacobsburg
Environmental Education Center

-
Kings Gap Environmental
Education Center

-
Kinzua Bridge

-
Lackawanna

-
Laurel
Hill

-
Laurel Ridge

-
Little Buffalo

-
Lyman Run

-
Marsh Creek State Park

-
Maurice K. Goddard

-
Michaux State
Forest - Beaver Trail

-
Moraine

-
Nescopeck

-
Nolde
Forest Environmental Education Center

-
Parker Dam

-
Pine
Grove Furnace

-
Presque Isle

-
Prince Gallitzin

-
Raccoon Creek

-
RB Winter

-
Ridley Creek

-
Sinnemahoning

-
Susquehanna Riverlands

-
Tiadaghton State
Forest - Pine Creek Rail Trail

-
Warriors Path State Park

-
White Clay Creek Preserve

-
William Penn State Forest - Buck
Hollow Tract

For details on a First Day Hike near you go to Events
- DCNR Calendar of Events (pa.gov) [link 24]

*
[image =
[link removed]]*

As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 25] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
26] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 27]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

[image =
[link removed]]

Senator
Lindsey Williams


----------------------
footnotes
----------------------
[link 1]
[link removed]
[link 2]
[link removed]
[link 3]
[link removed]
[link 4]
[link removed]
[link 5]
[link removed]
[link 6]
[link removed]
[link 7]
[link removed]
[link
8] mailto:[email protected]
[link 9]
[link removed]
[link
10] [link removed]
[link 11]
[link removed]
[link
12]
[link removed]
[link
13]
[link removed]
[link
14] [link removed]
[link 15]
[link removed]
[link 16]
[link removed]
[link 17]
[link removed]
[link
18]
[link removed]
[link
19]
[link removed]
[link
20] [link removed]
[link 21]
[link removed]
[link 22]
[link removed]
[link 23]
[link removed]
[link 24]
[link removed]
[link
25] tel:412-364-0469
[link 26] tel:724-224-2131
[link 27]
mailto:[email protected]

Contact
Information:

Website:
[link removed]

Office Location:
District
Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone:
412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928

Harrison Office
1826 Union
Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone: 724-224-2131
Fax:
724-224-2145

Harrisburg Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box
203038
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax:
717-787-8625

Unsubscribe:
[link removed]
Privacy
Policy: [link removed]