Derry school board member, Excela social worker partner to host 'Christmas on the Frontlines' benefit

Sean Kemmerer was disappointed when he didn’t receive any committee assignments in his role as a member of the Derry Area School Board, so he decided to find another positive way to help the community, forming the Derry Area Philanthropy Committee earlier in the fall.

“I’ve taken my position on the board and looked for ways to help out, outside the traditional board structure,” Kemmerer said.

The committee has partnered with a local restaurant to donate Thanksgiving dinners and is working with Trib Total Media’s “Operation Santa Claus” this season.

As a member of local wedding band Walk of Shame (“Unless we’re playing your daughter’s wedding, then we’re called ‘Walk of Love,’” Kemmerer said), he has also put his musical talents to work for charity, playing a “Tips for Teachers” benefit used to purchase personal protective equipment for Derry Area teachers.

Hospital social worker Courtney Kubovcik saw the “Tips for Teachers” live-stream, and has partnered with Kemmerer for “Christmas on the Frontlines,” a live-streamed performance airing Thursday, Dec. 17, to benefit front-line health care workers at Excela Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.

The stream is free to watch, but viewers can also donate by bidding on song requests.

“It’s a sliding scale of lower-priced standard tunes, all the way up to ridiculous stuff like ‘Barbie Girl,’ which is price a little higher to give people an incentive to donate to a good cause,” Kemmerer said.

Kubovcik will keep track of the song bidding.

“She’ll be able to plug our sponsors, give our thank-yous and monitor the chat room,” Kemmerer said.

All proceeds will go toward providing Christmas gifts for front-line health care workers at Westmoreland Hospital.

Kemmerer said he’s happy that the live streams he started as a way to connect with fans can also serve to help those who are giving so much of themselves to help others.

“Courtney saw one of our live streams, and she has a big heart, so she wanted to do something for the folks she works with,” he said.

“Christmas on the Frontlines,” will be streamed from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, and is available via Facebook, YouTube and Twitch TV. Register online at Eventbrite.com — type “Christmas frontlines” into the search box to find the event page.