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FEBRUARY 3, 2021
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXX • NO 50
Penningtonville Church Serves The Community BY FRANCINE FULTON
The Parkesburg POINT Welcomes Back Students BY FRANCINE FULTON
he Parkesburg POINT youth center, 700 Main St., Parkesburg, reopened for in-person programming on Jan. 4. The POINT is currently open on Mondays through Thursdays from 3 to 6:30 p.m. On Mondays and Wednesdays the facility is open to students in grades seven to 12. Tuesdays and Thursdays are for students in grades three through six. While it is not necessary for students to preregister before they visit, their parents will be asked to complete a registration form for them at the front desk. Youths may also register though The POINT app, which is free for downloading. Youths who visit The POINT can enjoy dinner, homework help, Bible study and recreational activities. “The POINT provides a safe haven for students to have social interaction and activity after a really tough year of not having either of those things,” said Debbie Shupp, development director. “ We provide activity, the arts, interactive games, Bible studies and a chance to rebuild relationships with peers and communicate with caring adults.”
“We are very grateful to those who have supported us through the pandemic, including over 25 churches who serve a nutritious meal each evening, and the other volunteers to help work with the kids,” Shupp added. “ We provide a fresh, homemade meal each evening. Dinner is prepared on-site, and the volunteers are responsible for planning the menu, cooking and serving,” Shupp explained. “As (executive director) Dwayne (Walton) puts it, the meal is the same meal you would serve your family, so it does include a protein, vegetable, starch and some sort of dessert.”
Since COVID-19, The POINT has adapted its programs and activities to help ensure the safety of staff members, volunteers and students. For example, The POINT added 10 part-time interns so that volunteers could work with students in smaller groups with social distancing in place. In addition, The POINT has been able to increase counseling services for students and continue to provide crisis support to families in need with food, utility and rental assistance and more. “We are very grateful to those who have supported us through the pandemic, including over 25 churches who serve a nutritious meal each evening, and the other volunteers to help work with the kids,” Shupp added. “We do adhere to all of the COVID-19 and CDC protocols in order to keep our students and volunteers safe and our doors open.” Now in its 18th year, The Parkesburg POINT is a faith-based community center that serves youths ages 8 to 18 in the Octorara and Coatesville Area school districts. The motto of the center is “Every Child Deserves Hope.” For more information, readers may visit www.facebook.com/parkesburg .point or www.parkesburgpoint.com or call 610-857-3393.
See Penningtonville Church pg 6
Penningtonville Presbyterian Church pastor Eric Dorville (right) presented a check for $5,700 to Atglen Mayor Darren Hodorovich. The funds were used to pay delinquent water and sewer bills for borough residents.
VITA Offers Free Tax Preparation Service BY FRANCINE FULTON
VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, an initiative of Life Transforming Ministries (LTM), is offering free tax preparation by volunteers certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The service is available now through Thursday, April 15.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Business Directory . . . . . .2 Atglen Library Earns Silver Award . . . . . . . . . . .3 Cookbook Sale To Benefit Boy Scout Troop . . . . . . . .4 Community Calendar . . . .7 House Of Worship . . . . . . .9 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .10
See VITA pg 2
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The POINT works in partnership with local churches to provide a healthy meal for students at 6 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. While The POINT was shut down last year, a food distribution program was implemented to provide students and their families with food.
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Students and staff members at The Parkesburg Students who visit The Parkesburg POINT POINT youth center, which recently reopened for in- youth center receive a free hot meal on person programming, observed Martin Luther King Mondays through Thursdays at 6 p.m. Jr. Day on Jan. 18.
Select residents of Atglen Borough were able to begin the new year with fewer bills to pay thanks to Penningtonville Presbyterian Church. Congregation members collected $5,700 - enough funds to pay the bills of borough residents who
were behind on their sewer and water payments. “Penningtonville Presbyterian Church has been deeply rooted in this community since 1851. We love Jesus and we love our community,” stated pastor Eric Dorville. “God has blessed each one of us so that we can be a blessing to others. (2020 was) a hard year for so many people, and members of the leadership team thought a good way to demonstrate the love of Jesus was by loving our neighbors.” Dorville explained that the church contacted the borough in November of 2020 to see what amount would be needed to pay the bills, noting that updated amounts were provided as the year came to an end. He emphasized that the church donated the money, but the names of those whom it helped remained anonymous.