IN THIS ISSUE: YMCA TO OFFER LEARNING CENTERS page 5
Octorara
Shop local! Find open businesses near you at
townlively.com /townlively
AUGUST 12, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXX • NO 26
/open
the
Not just in your mailbox...
is also online! Read all of our papers at
Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. publications
townlively.com/read
Spreading A Pandemic Of Love By Ann Mead Ash
Looking back at the abrupt changes he dealt with last March when COVID-19 restrictions temporarily closed the state, Spencer Browne, now a rising senior at The Stone School in Lancaster, was philosophical. “When something as shocking as a pandemic happens, there are many different ways to (react),” noted Spencer. “I think it consumes a lot of people and they are stuck in shock about the world being so different they can’t do anything … but we saw it as an opportunity to help people who are in that stasis.” Spencer, along with his family, which consists of his parents, Jen and Sean Browne, and his brother, Jayden, home from college in Minnesota, joined forces with volunteers Michelle Simon and Deb Miller and fellow students
Jayna Ribner and Henry Willis to form the Lancaster chapter of Pandemic of Love. The grassroots, nonprofit organization connects those in need with those who have something to give. It has more than 650 volunteers nationally and, as of late June, had matched nearly 190,000 donors with those in need for $25.1 million in transactions. Pandemic of Love was founded in Florida by Shelly Tyglielski. “She started it for her community,” said Jen, who noted that the idea spread quickly and soon became a global network. Jen shared the story of the nonprofit’s founding with her family, and by late May, she had contacted Tyglielski through www.pandemic oflove.com. By early June, all the Lancaster volunteers had been trained via an online forum, and the Lancaster County chapter was ready to let the public know of its existence.
Jen lauded Spencer and Jayna and their expertise in social media for helping to get the word out. “I really credit the young volunteers with making this as successful as it’s been,” said Jen. “They know how to tag the right people. We are fortunate to have young volunteers who know what they’re doing.” Thanks to the volunteers’ hard work, by early July, the Lancaster Chapter had matched 30 donors with recipients. “What was shocking in the beginning is that I had so many donors who were interested,” recalled Jen, noting that at one point she had more donors than people in need. “I was so impressed with that,” she said. Jen explained that Pandemic of Love focuses on putting together the puzzle pieces of donors and recipients. “We look at what someone wants to give and try to connect people who are a good fit See Pandemic Of Love pg 3
Spencer Browne (left) and Jayna Ribner are part of Pandemic of Love’s Lancaster chapter. The new organization was designed to match donors with those affected by the pandemic to help cover utility bills and other needs.
Planning A Successful Food Truck Event COBYS To Offer Free Online Educational Classes When the Mountville Fire Company (MFC) reluctantly canceled its annual carnival in May, it turned to food trucks to make up the lost revenue. “Food - that’s what a lot of people come (to the carnival) for,” related Peter Taraborelli, MFC public information officer and firefighter. Due to the short notice and the safety guidelines in place at the time, the food truck event included primarily carnival vendors and was operated as a drive-through. Still, the turnout was
encouraging. “We wound up having a successful event. We raised $13,000,” Taraborelli said. The 2019 carnival generated $18,000, so MFC opted to host a second food truck event in July to make up the shortfall. “We wanted to capitalize on the fact that people were still bored, stuck local, still not going on vacation,” Taraborelli said. “We had time to plan, so we wanted to make sure we brought in some local favorites that people were asking about.” Unfortunately, rain on the first night and high heat and humidity on the second negatively impacted the proceeds from the July event. However, MFC is considering making a food truck fundraiser a regular part of its schedule beginning fall 2021. “People really do love food truck events,” Taraborelli remarked. “Lancaster County seems to be the mecca for some unique food trucks.” See Food Truck Event pg 4
Mountville Fire Company has held two food truck fundraisers this year, with the first one having a drive-through format. Food truck events can be fun neighborhood activities if organized and promoted well.
By Francine Fulton
Local families now have an opportunity to receive support and educational services all without leaving their homes thanks to online programming being offered by the Family Life Education Department at COBYS Family Services, Lancaster. Among the virtual programs being offered is a kinship support program, which is taking place on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 19. The program is open to kinship caregivers - those who are raising a relative’s child. During the sessions, grandparents, aunts and uncles and others who have taken on the new role of caregiver can talk about topics specific to kinship care and network with other people in similar situations. “We are doing everything virtually to break down time barriers. These families are overwhelmed because they are taking care of children they were not expecting to take care of lovingly and open-armed,” said Abby Keiser, director of Family Life Services. “We are able to provide the services; they don’t have to bring their children to a building. They can even be in pajamas.” See COBYS pg 3
Abby Keiser, director, recently announced that the Family Life Education Department at COBYS Family Services, Lancaster, is offering free online support classes.
STOREWIDE
MAJOR DEALS ON MATTRESSES & FURNITURE See store for details.
martinfurniturepa.com
martinfurniturepa.com
SALE DATES August 12th - 15th R062158
TENT SALE
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER AUG. 12, 2020
Postal Patron
OCC
By Dayna M. Reidenouer