It's been 20 years since the CopperTree Store and workshop opened its doors in October, 1995. During the 1980s, Martha Lloyd Community Services, Inc., started its prevocational operations with the Memorial Workshop. Individuals who worked at this workshop would assemble nuts and bolts, bag bulk food, and make gift baskets.
As time went on, the workshop continued to grow, Martha Lloyd Services expanded its program and opened the Brown House Workshop and Store (1993). It was here the individuals delivered ice, pre-measured Era Detergent for the homes, did copying, made wishing stars (from veneer strips) and practiced folding and stuffing envelopes. It wasn't long before the vocational program outgrew both their buildings which led to the development of the CopperTree Workshop and Store, which is located on Ballard St. in Troy.
The CopperTree Vocational Training and Work Center is committed to the belief that persons with intellectual disabilities can be contributing members of society, The CopperTree Store is an integral part of this program. The store gives participants an opportunity to experience a retail setting. Workers assist in the store and also participate in making products that are being sold.
Throughout the years, individuals employed by the CopperTree had been responsible for a number of different jobs. Some of the earlier jobs consisted of working at a piece rate for Paper Magic, creating lines of products for Civil War re-enactors, and developing Martha's Good Scents (lotions, and soap). They were also contracted by PennDOT to plane,bundle, and ship survey stakes to various sites throughout the state, as well as operate and manage four photo centers (2002-2015).
Currently, the CopperTree provides a number of jobs for the individuals who work there like creating lines of handmade greeting cards and Christmas cards, designing and making jewelry, delivering ice to local businesses throughout the area who support the CopperTree workshop by contracting them for various jobs.
They are making siding and shutter sample color tile for Metamora out of Elkland, PA; packaging fire logs for the Fire Log Company out of Ulster, PA; sewing poly bags (sand) for PennDOT as well as making bee's wax candles and lip balm.
Other jobs which they have been providing for over 20 years include: delivering ice, making gift baskets, copying, and faxing.
Shelley Walcheski and Becky VanAlstine, 30 plus year employees of Martha Lloyd Community Services, were both involved with helping CopperTree get started.
Looking back to October of 1995, some of the popular items sold from the CopperTree Store included apple themed gift items, baskets, sponge ware pottery, and dried flower arrangements. Popular colors were navy and mauve.
The CopperTree offers so much more than just pre-vocational services and a store, it provides Home and Community Habilitation/Volunteering Services, Vocational Assessments/OVR (Office of Vocational Rehab), Transitional Work Services, Job Coaching, Supportive Employment, on-site, and community vocational experiences to a number of individuals.
On top of all the services they offer, the CopperTree enjoys hosting a number of special events thorughout the year which include: Paint Classes, Ladies Night Out, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, Mother's Day Sale, a Holiday Open House, Shop Local Day, and Hometown Christmas.
Shelley and Becky want the public to know how much they value their customers, many of which have been loyal for 20 years. "We wouldn't be here, celebrating our twenty years without out wonderful customers (friends), we greatly appreciate them," they said.