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Grandparents Day Tributes
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SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXVI • NO 18
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Responding To A Financial Pandemic HOPE International Plans 20th Annual Golf Tournament
Corine (right), a HOPE International client who lives in Zimbabwe, reacted to a loss of income due to COVID-19 by starting a bakery with other members of her savings group.
It comes as no surprise that we continue to face many of the challenges we have experienced over the past six months. Who hasn’t used the word “uncertainty” more times than they can count? Despite this uncertainty, we have worked hard to keep our families and community safe while providing positive, creative ways to reinforce that we are in this together. We encourage you to continue sharing your stories and connecting with us on social media so we can go on spreading all the good we see in this world. See Letter pg 3
Jeff Rutt, founder of HOPE International, is keenly aware of the worldwide impact of COVID-19. HOPE International is a nonprofit organization that seeks to alleviate poverty in all its forms - spiritual, material, social, and personal. Over its more than 20-year history, the organization, with offices at 227 Granite Run Drive, Suite 250, Lancaster, has done that by loaning out more than $1 billion and helping to start savings groups among about a million clients in 16 countries. Now, those clients, who Rutt said are already on “fragile footing,” have been teetering on the brink. “We have been trying to pull them off that proverbial cliff edge,” said Rutt. “We have gotten some results.” HOPE has instituted a three-phase plan called Rebuilding Dreams, which first provided food and water to clients who needed it to survive. The second phase involved a 60-day interest payment holiday. That crucial step cost HOPE about $500,000 a month, for a total expenditure of $1 million. The final phase, which focuses on recapitalization of the tiny client businesses, will include at least $2 million more from HOPE.
“These client businesses are starting to reopen, but they need capital to do that,” explained Rutt. To help raise that capital, HOPE is looking for sponsors and golfers for its 20th annual golf tournament at Heritage Hills Golf Resort, 2700 Mount Rose Ave., York, on Friday, Sept. 18, beginning at 6:30 a.m. A second round will be held the same day at 1 p.m. at Iron Valley Golf Club, 201 Iron Valley Drive, Lebanon. The fundraising goal for this year’s tournament is $500,000. More information about the tournaments may be found by clicking on “Take Action” and then “Attend an Event” at www.hope international.org. Those who wish to take part may email asmith@hopeinternational.org or call 717-464-3220, ext. 544. Golfers are asked to register by Friday, Sept. 11. Rutt has been impressed by the resilience of some of HOPE’s clients. “Irene in Paraguay got a small loan to start a hair salon,” he said, noting that countries like Paraguay do not offer stimulus packages. According to Rutt, Irene quickly reorganized to sewing face masks and selling them to the families in her community. “Irene provided a product (her neighbors) need and an income for her family,” said Rutt. “I thought that was a good example of pivoting to something she could do.” See HOPE International pg 7
Friendship Community To Hold 5K Run/Walk BY ANN MEAD ASH
As a runner, Becky Link, development associate with Friendship Community, knows how 5Ks have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions. While many organized runs have been converted to virtual events, many participants, Link included, miss running in person. So, when Link had the chance to offer input for the annual Friendship Community 5K Run/Walk, she liked the idea of offering options. “We decided to focus on the 5K and have it be both virtual and in-person,” said Link. “Anyone who wants to support us but is feeling hesitant about being in groups of people, we understand and appreciate that.” For those
runners, the 5K offers a virtual participation opportunity, which includes the same goodie bag, but can be done at home at the runner’s leisure.
For runners who want to join others in a 5K, the event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8 a.m. at Friendship Community, See Friendship Community pg 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY . . . . . . . . . . . .2 PATHWAYS INSTITUTE CLASSES . . . . . . . . . .6 HOUSE OF WORSHIP . . . . . . . . . .8 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . .9
Friendship Community will hold a fundraising 5K with options for a virtual race as well as an in-person race on Sept. 26.
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A Letter From The Publisher
BY ANN MEAD ASH