Lancaster Connects

In this episode, we open the door to stories of transformation, growth, and opportunity through literacy. Featuring Cheryl Hiester, President of the Literacy & Learning Success Centers & Bill Morgan, President of Capital Coating, Inc. - this conversation highlights how literacy is strengthening Lancaster’s workforce and enriching lives. Cheryl shares the mission and impact of the Literacy...

Join us for a milestone celebration as we turn the spotlight on the heart behind Lancaster Connects. For 35 years, Gardner's Mattress & More has been helping Lancaster County families sleep better and wake up happy, but this anniversary episode goes beyond mattresses to explore what it really means to build a business on honesty, expertise, and genuine community care. Hear the origin story of...

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Santiago, Executive Director and founder of Restart Training Center Ministry (RTCM), to explore how a life rooted in faith and purpose can transform individuals and communities. Jaime launched RTCM in 2015 after more than two decades of serving in addiction recovery ministries like Teen Challenge and Revelations of Freedom. With a master’s degree in counseli...

In this episode, we’re joined by Building Bridges Foundation at Anderson Farm, a nonprofit offering equine-assisted therapy to veterans and their families. Tune in as we discuss the healing power of horses in helping veterans reconnect and recover. ???? Connect with Building Bridges:  ✅ Website: https://www.buildingbridgesfoundation.org/   ✅ Facebook (Building Bridges Foundation): https://www.fa...

In this episode, we sit down with Brad Peterson, Executive Director of Power Packs Project, an inspiring nonprofit dedicated to empowering families with education and ingredients to create nutritious weekend meals—ensuring children return to school fed and ready to learn. With over 30 years of nonprofit experience, Brad joined Power Packs in 2020 and has since led impactful initiatives including f...

In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Conahan, Director of Advancement, and Paige McFarling, Executive Director of Lancaster County Food Hub—a nonprofit with a 75-year legacy of serving the Lancaster community with compassion, dignity, and equity. Erin and Paige share how the Food Hub is addressing critical needs in the community by providing fresh food, free clothing, and essential resources to n...

In this episode, we sit down with the Rev. Dr. Matthew Lenahan—pastor, farmer, and community organizer in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As founder and director of the Wittel Farm Growing Project, Dr. Lenahan shares how this innovative ministry is transforming the land and lives in Lancaster County. The project, a ministry of the Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central PA, is dedicate...

In this episode, we sit down with Teresa Richardson, Executive Director of Help The Fight, and Stacey Rife, Manager of Imaging Operations at WellSpan York Hospital, to discuss the vital resources available to individuals fighting breast cancer in our community. Help The Fight is a powerful grassroots organization offering a hand up—not a handout—to those undergoing breast cancer treatment and thos...

In this episode Ben & Jeff highlight all the ways they serve Lancaster County and use their store as a platform for connection to the community. From mattress fundraisers, The Dream Room, the Lancaster Connects Show, Gardners Gives Back - food and mattress donations, and sponsoring a student for a new pillow they see their connection to the community as more than just selling a mattress. Thank...

In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Szalay (pronounced “Sul-lay”), President & CEO of Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity in Pennsylvania. Nicknamed the “Shelter Seeker” by Lancaster News Paper’s Sunday Magazine, Andrew has dedicated his career to supporting first-time homebuyers and advancing affordable housing. An Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP), he has worked at the settlement...

In this episode, we’re joined by Shawn and Maile Smucker, the husband-and-wife team behind Nooks, a charming independent bookshop in Lancaster, PA. Maile is a writer, mother of six, and the day-to-day heart of the store, while Shawn is a seasoned author and ghostwriter with over 30 co-written books and five novels of his own. Together, they’re not only raising a big, beautiful family (including th...

In this episode, we sit down with Pete Rothacker and Greg Mavraganis to explore the journey of Lancaster Door Service (LDS), a trusted name in garage door, window, and entry door installation and repair throughout Lancaster County since 1996. Pete, a Lancaster native and Penn State alum, shares how LDS was built on the foundation of honest service, quality craftsmanship, and reliable support. We a...

In this episode, we’re joined by Bill Klees and Kailey Hurst from Woodcrest Retreat, a ministry with a legacy of over 65 years impacting lives in Lancaster County and beyond. Bill and Kailey share the heart behind Woodcrest’s vibrant summer youth camp program, where over 2,000 campers step away from the ordinary to experience the extraordinary. But their mission doesn’t stop when summer ends—Woodc...

In this episode of Lancaster Connects, we pull back the curtain and share what drives us every day — beyond the beds, beyond the showroom. We dive into the why behind our business: our Purpose, our Mission, and the Core Values that guide every customer interaction, every mattress recommendation, and every decision we make. If you’ve ever wondered what makes us different from other mattress stores...

In this episode, we welcome David Lapp, CEO and co-founder of Blessings of Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Lancaster, PA, that’s making a national impact. Under David’s leadership, Blessings of Hope provides over 27 million meals annually through a powerful combination of strategic food distribution and community partnerships. With a deep heart for service, David shares how empowering volu...

In this episode, we sit down with Brittany Garner, Owner, Broker, and CEO of Life Changes Realty Group. Brittany shares how her heart-led approach to real estate is transforming lives—not just through buying and selling homes, but through building community and giving back. With a mission rooted in care, integrity, and client-first service, Brittany and her team guide people through major life tra...

In this episode, we sit down with Lancaster County native Troy Steffy, whose impressive baseball résumé spans Major League scouting, coaching with USA Baseball, and athlete development at both the collegiate and professional levels. With certifications in sports biomechanics and years of hands-on experience—including six years as director of sports performance at Parisi Speed School and another si...

In this episode, we talk with Rachel Kantner, Business Development Manager at Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical — a women-led, veteran-led company proudly serving Lancaster County since 1904. Rachel shares how their team delivers trusted residential services with upfront pricing, personalized care, and a 5-star commitment to customer satisfaction. She also highlights their affo...

200 episodes. Hundreds of community champions. One unwavering mission. In this special milestone episode, we reflect on what Lancaster Connects has become: more than just a podcast, it’s a community platform rooted in connection, impact, and purpose. From day one, we set out to spotlight the people and causes that make Lancaster extraordinary. Today, we celebrate those voices and recommit to what...

Transform how your school raises funds—forever. This week on Lancaster Connects, discover Gardner's Mattress & More's groundbreaking Sleep Better Mattress Fundraiser Program, the first initiative of its kind in Lancaster County. Instead of traditional Popcorn, Hoagie or Coupon sales that often disappoint, this innovative partnership offers schools an immediate $750 grant to launch their progra...

In this episode, we sit down with Teresa Richardson & Lynda Charles of Help The Fight, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals in the battle against breast cancer. Teresa shares the heart and mission behind Help The Fight—an organization that offers not handouts, but a hand up to those courageously navigating treatment or in need of essential screenings. Focused on Lancast...

In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Vanderplate, CEO of Vertex Mechanical, a trusted name in heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing services for over 40 years. Serving Lancaster, Berks, and Lebanon counties, Vertex Mechanical has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship, community-focused service, and their enduring motto: Here For Your Comfort™. Joshua shares the company’s journey, i...

In this episode of Lancaster Connects, Jim Dornes, incoming president of Off The Streets Lancaster, discusses how Off The Streets helps individuals transition from homelessness to permanent housing by providing security, homes and furnishings. The emotional highlight includes Gardner's Mattress and More receiving recognition from Lancaster's Mayor for their donations of beds that bring dignity and...

In this episode, we welcome Kate Mullen, Director of Development & Community Relations, and Risa Paskoff, Executive Director of Aaron’s Acres. Since 1998, Aaron’s Acres has been creating life-changing opportunities for individuals with disabilities by offering inclusive social and recreational programs that empower participants to learn, grow, and connect. Kate and Risa share the inspiring mis...

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Dunn, Vice President of Programs, and Sami Burdick, Outreach and Community Relations Manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA. Amanda shares how her extensive background in education and deep commitment to mentorship have guided her leadership in building inclusive, innovative youth programs. With over 15 years of experience and recent recogn...