Lampeter-Strasburg JUNE 3, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,190 HOMES
VOL LXIII • NO 5
Golfers Tee Up With HOPE BY JEFF FALK
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here are few things as relaxing and inspiring as a day on the golf course. Unless of course it’s a day on the golf course for a great cause. HOPE International, a local faith-based nonprofit designed to aid underserved individuals around the world experiencing financial difficulties, is gearing up this year’s edition of its annual fundraising golf outing. On Friday, Sept. 11, HOPE International’s golf outing will be staged at 8 a.m. at Iron Valley Golf Club in Cornwall. On the same day at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., the event will be conducted at Wyncote Golf Club in Oxford. “For 25 years, this golf tournament has been about so much more than golf,” said Jeff Rutt, HOPE International’s founder and chairman of the board. “Every dollar raised has gone toward giving hardworking entrepreneurs in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities access to the small loans, savings and training
A foursome enjoys a round of golf at last year’s HOPE International outing.
they need to build a better future for their families.” In addition to an enjoyable round of golf, participants will
enjoy on-course activities and opportunities to connect with likeminded individuals. Currently, organizers of HOPE International’s
golf outing are seeking players and sponsors for the event. To register or for more information, go to https://engage.hope international.org/event/26th -annual-golf-tournament/ e744182. All proceeds from the golf outing will go toward HOPE International’s mission “to invest in the dreams of families in the world’s underserved communities as we proclaim and live the Gospel.” “The day will be relaxed and fun,” said Paige Snyder, senior event planner for HOPE International. “People who know each other and people who are meeting for the first time will be gathered around a shared love of golf to support the work of HOPE. There will be images of clients, stories of transformation and plenty of prizes.” A total of more than 300 participants are expected to attend HOPE International’s golf outing at both venues - mission supporters, community members, sponsors and golf enthusiasts. “The purpose and goal behind the golf tournament is to raise funds
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Sometimes, wonderful things can spring from places of hurt. When Chelsea Clark’s sons, Amir, now 9, and Adam, now 8, were initially adopted, a lack of support led to the cancellation of a baby shower for the boys. But Chelsea turned the negative into a positive. From a personal challenge, the Ephrata woman created a public nonprofit called Unlocked Closet. “I wanted to do what I could to have people not feel what I felt,” said Chelsea. “We started in a storage unit and quickly outgrew it. Where
we’re going, I don’t know. I’m not in a rush to get there. I want to make sure whatever we do, we do well. Currently, we aren’t doing any fundraising, but we’re going to need to do it.” Unlocked Closet, which is situated at 24 Orange St., Ephrata, is like a store for foster and adoptive families, except no money ever changes hands. Operated entirely by volunteers, Unlocked Closet consists of 1,200 square feet of donated items, but Chelsea performs many of the administrative chores for the organization at home and through a Facebook page. Unlocked Closet’s hours of operation vary from week to week, but they are posted regularly See Closet pg 8
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See HOPE pg 8
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