MeeT Our STaff

PASTOR, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATOR

CHRISTOPHER (CHRIS) FUSKA

CHRIS FUSKA

Chris was called into the ministry several years earlier, and the American Rescue Workers was blessed with the arrival of Chris and his lovely family late spring/early summer of 2024. With a strong background in banking, pastoral work, and serving others, Chris comes with a fresh food pantry perspective to the American Rescue Workers in Hollidaysburg, PA. Chris says he wants to “grow the ministry and grow myself.”

As PA natives, the Fuska’s are excited to take on their new adventures in Blair County. During the training process, Chris, sometimes along with his wife, Sarah, and two younger daughters, have already represented the ARW and participated in multiple events and activities in the community. They look forward to getting to know their Blair County friends, maintaining and growing the work of the ARW, and being helpful neighbors in Hollidaysburg.

Please welcome Chris and his family to his new leadership role here in Blair County.

SUE SHAW

Most people recognize Sue as the first person to greet them when they visit the American Rescue Workers Food Pantry at 811 Scotch Valley Road. Sue deals with each client, ensuring that all paperwork is done correctly, that procedures are followed, and that the volunteers are updated daily on what is happening with the food pantry.

Sue is responsible for ensuring that the ARW follows the proper standard practices, and that our data is collected. She often provides a supportive listening ear for those seniors and others who need additional encouragement in their lives.

When not working, Sue makes her amazing homemade pizzelles, and she enjoys the companionships of her two rescued fur baby kitties, Ella and Julie.

DAVE WAGNER

Dave comes to the American Rescue Workers with over 40 years experience in warehousing, shipping and transportation areas, working mostly in those areas at F.L. Smithe, The Slinky Factory, Blair Co. and as a transportation manager at Trinity Plastics in Lewistown.

As the current ARW warehouse manager, Dave keeps the shelves stocked and oversees the ARW distributions to the external food pantries in the areas. Dave is also responsible for delegating needed projects and work efforts for the many external volunteers that visit this serving ministry. He works well with groups possessing a variety of functioning levels. He also oversees the regular food pantry volunteers daily and ensures they have all they need for a successful day of service. Dave has four children and three grandsons. He enjoys a cat, a dog and a gecko that live with him and his two youngest children.

DAVE HITE

After many successful years working at McLanahan’s and settling into a bit of retirement and the end of 2023, Dave Hite applied for the part-time truck driving position at the American Rescue Workers Spring 2024.

Pastor Micah Clouse was the previous driver from August 2022 to March 2024, and Micah and his family remain ongoing blessings to the ARW and its ministry, but God led their family in a new direction this year.

Once Dave trained with Micah for a few weeks, he settled into the tasks at hand. In addition to his driving skills for the many food pick-ups the ARW has to complete, Dave is a great resource for the ongoing updates, upgrades and minor things needed to keep the trucks and the ARW van running effectively and efficiently.

His wife Christina, son David, daughter Jamie and six grandchildren as well as other local friends enjoy Dave’s fun-loving spirit camping throughout Pennsylvania and on the East Coast. At home, he also enjoys his two crazy cats, Tom and Jerry. Welcome Dave April 2024!

PAULA BRENNECKE

To complement its existing Local Advisory Board and to grow the ministry in new ways, the American Rescue Workers created an Executive Board in 2024. Paula has faithfully served the ARW as a volunteer for 16 years, and she not only accepted a seat on the newly created Executive Board, but she also committed to serving as the Executive Treasurer for one full year.

Paula brings a strong accounting background with her in addition to an astute attention to detail, making her an excellent choice for bookkeeping, bill paying and fund raising calculations and tasks. When not fulfilling these duties at the ARW, Paula can be found volunteering in the food pantry portions of the ministries, carefully examining products and dates on labels as she sorts and arranges items to ensure older items are used first, shelves are properly stocked, inventory is accurately accounted for, and everything moves in a timely fashion.

In her leisure, Paula enjoys family times with her husband, children and grandchild.