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Manheim Township

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AUGUST 19, 2020

SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954

VOL XXXVI • NO 15

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Township Program Supports Residents With Special Needs Gifts That By Ann Mead Ash

A little over a year ago, Sgt. John Donnelly with the Manheim Township Police, 1825 Municipal Drive, Lancaster, attended a training session where he learned about a program run by the Monmouth County, N.J., police department that helped to identify residents with special needs. “Their program has been running since 2016 and has been quite successful,” reported Donnelly, noting that the Monmouth department has about 1,400 registered participants. “They have had one case that the program helped to identify a citizen who was unable to otherwise identify themselves.” In late 2019, Donnelly took the

idea, which involves a registry and special stickers for the registrant’s home and car, to Chief Thomas E. Rudzinski. Rudzinski had already begun including training in the department’s annual internal curriculum to address the best ways to help persons with special needs, including how to identify those persons. Rudzinski immediately recognized the benefits of Donnelly’s suggested ideas. “I couldn’t have been more excited about the prospect of providing individualized service to our special needs population,” Rudzinski said, noting that he moved quickly to help fund the program. “Our department has a very active community outreach program which is supported with donations from our community,” he said.

Give Hope Fair Moves Online

“Donnelly’s idea fit right in.” With Rudzinski’s blessing, Donnelly contacted the Monmouth department for more information. “They supplied me with all the help I needed to get our program up and running,” he recalled. In April, the Manheim Township program was ready to accept Special Needs Registry (SNR) participants. The goal of the program is to offer help and support to residents who may need special assistance whenever interacting with law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical personnel. Each voluntary registrant will receive two window decals one to be placed near the front entrance of their home and

By Ann Mead Ash

Liz Plastino, a Manheim Township resident with cerebral palsy, shakes hands with Officer Devon Reinert of the Manheim Township Police Department after having her name added to a new registry of people with special needs that the department has created to better serve See Township Program pg 2 local residents.

A year ago, Jenn Knepper, founder of the Gifts That Give Hope (GTGH) Lancaster Alternative Gift Fair, was looking forward to moving the fair from its location at the Farm and Home Center in Lancaster to The Junction Center in Manheim. This year, Knepper is talking about the online fair that the organization will hold on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During that time period, those wishing to give an alternative gift may visit www.giftsthatgivehope.org and choose an organization to donate to. “You’re purchasing a gift for somebody, and we See Gifts That Give Hope pg 3

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MHALC Offers CMAP Farm Markets Go To Green (Phase) By Ann Mead Ash

By Ann Mead Ash

During the COVID-19 shutdown, the Steinman Foundation wanted to respond to the needs of the community. One way the organization chose to do that was to focus on mental health, with a goal of making sure community residents felt supported in unprecedented times. The foundation reached out to Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC) to bring a Community Mental Health Assistance Plan (CMAP) to local workers. “They partnered with us because we had relationships with service providers and we’re able to support individuals beyond the project,” said Kim McDevitt, executive director of MHALC. MHALC turned to Philhaven/WellSpan as a consultant. “ WellSpan runs an See MHALC pg 2

Because they provide food, farm markets were considered essential businesses when businesses were closed under COVID-19 restrictions, but that does not mean that the organizations were not affected by changes in shopping patterns in the economy that resulted from the shutdown. “The pandemic has changed the typical summer landscape for many, and that includes our local

Essential workers in Lancaster County who are struggling with the emotional effects of COVID-19 may be eligible for a new program that provides three free sessions with a therapist. The program is funded by the Steinman Foundation and administered by Mental Health America of Lancaster County.

Not just in your mailbox...

farmers and small businesses,” said Dani Decker, manager of communications for Lancaster’s Central Market Trust. Located at 23 N. Market St., Lancaster, the local icon remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic. “We have been actively providing updates to the community online on what stands are open and any operational changes that have See Farm Markets pg 2

Local vegetables and fruits line the shelves of Harvest Lane Farm Market (left photos). Alana Burkholder (right photo, left) and Hunter Rohrer display seasonal items sold at Brook Lawn Farm Market. Farm markets have taken steps to keep customers safe in the green phase.

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