Donegal /townlively
SEPTEMBER 16, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 35
DSAA Seeks Donations For Care Kits BY FRANCINE FULTON
One of life’s greatest tragedies is when a parent loses a child. But some grieving parents have been able to transform their heartbreak into positive efforts to benefit the community. Such is the case with Stacy Emminger, executive director of the Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance (DSAA), which supports those in recovery and provides assistance to families that have a loved one with addiction issues. Emminger lost her son, Anthony Perez, to an overdose when he was 23. The family decided to form DSAA after learning that other local parents were dealing the same issues. DSAA began by offering family support groups that met at the Sheetz Reception Center in Mount Joy. Emminger later became a certified family recovery specialist, and the facility opened its own office in 2015. In 2019, DSAA relocated to a new and larger space at 78 E. Main St.,
Mount Joy. After being approached by Rick Kastner, executive director of the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission, DSAA became affiliated with the agency. “We work one-on-one with families,” Emminger said. “We guide them through steps they can take to guide their loved ones to get some help. We also offer support groups and refer (people) to treatment centers.” DSAA’s latest effort is to provide care kits to those who have recently completed an addiction treatment program and are residing in recovery houses. “Our outreach coordinator has been connecting with all the recovery houses in (Lancaster) County to see what their needs are,” said Emminger. “Even though our focus is the Elizabethtown, Mount Joy and Marietta area, we are a county organization.” DSAA had string bags emblazoned with its logo and began filling them with items from its in-house supply of hygiene products. Also included in the bags is information about DSAA and its services.
GOTR To Screen Film Focused On Anxiety Free Link To Connect Families To “Angst” BY ANN MEAD ASH
Sarah Yohe, development director with Girls on the Run (GOTR), has an analogy concerning the different types and levels of anxiety people are feeling in relation to the pandemic. “ We are all in the same storm, but we all have our own individual boats with their own holes in them that we are trying to keep plugged to stay afloat,” she said. See GOTR pg 5
Alexis Mercado from the Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance displays the bags that the public is invited to fill with personal care items.
ECHOS Plans First 30 In 3 Giving Event BY ANN MEAD ASH
Katlyn Lantz, development coordinator with ECHOS (Elizabethtown Community Housing & Outreach Services), has fond memories of the organization’s first fundraising banquet, called the One Community Many Neighbors Celebration, which was held in fall 2019. “We all gathered together to hear about ECHOS’ mission and vision,” she recalled, noting that past ECHOS clients spoke at the event. “This year, we had hoped to do
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
the same,” continued Lantz, who noted that the COVID-19 pandemic served to change the organization’s plans. Instead, ECHOS is putting together a different type of appeal, titled “30 in 3.” “It’s a virtual fundraiser,” explained Lantz. “We are going to try to raise $30,000 in three days.” The fundraiser will kick off at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and end at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24. Plans for the fundraiser include spotlight videos focusing on donors and clients and stakeholders in the community.
PLANT EXCHANGE SLATED . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER . . . . .6 BUSINESS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . .6 HOUSE OF WORSHIP . . . . . . . .8
See ECHOS pg 2
CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . .9
Katlyn Lantz, development coordinator with Elizabethtown Community Housing & Outreach Services (ECHOS), invites area residents to take part in the organization’s first 30 in 3 Giving Event.
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See DSAA pg 4
The public is invited to donate personal care items to the Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance, which will distribute them in care kits to people living in recovery houses throughout Lancaster County.