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MARCH 9, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
The Parkesburg POINT To Present Brian Dawkins BY FRANCINE FULTON
he Parkesburg POINT youth center will present a Youth Mental Health Awareness Event featuring Philadelphia Eagles player Brian Dawkins on Wednesday, March 16. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Octorara Junior-Senior High School, 226 Highland Road, Atglen. Faced with mental health struggles early in his career, including depression and thoughts of suicide, Dawkins will discuss how to overcome and conquer life’s challenges. “We felt we needed to bring someone in who struggled with mental health - even though he was a very successful football player - to show
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others that mental health is important to everyone,” said Debbie Shupp, development director for The POINT. Shupp said youths who visit The Parkesburg POINT have reported struggling with mental health issues during the pandemic because of being isolated from friends and social activities. “Dwayne (Walton, The POINT’s executive director), believes that the pandemic has enhanced the mental health issues that we have,” said Shupp, citing the increased use of opioids and recent suicides by Chester County youths. Introducing Dawkins on March 16 will be sports radio talk show host Rob Maaddi. “He has a syndicated
Brian Dawkins
talk show, ‘Faith on the Field.’ He is coming in to serve as host, and he will feature the (Dawkins’ event) on his program,” Shupp noted. Those who attend the event will also be able to browse among tables of information regarding local agencies that offer related services. “There will be a list of mental health resources outside the gymnasium,” Shupp noted. “One of them will be the Chester County Teen Talk Line.” Dawkins, a well-known speaker who recently presented a mental health program in the Downingtown Area School District, attended Clemson University and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. During his 13 seasons with the Eagles, he led the team to the playoffs eight times and to the NFL championship following the 2004 season. W hile an Eagle, Dawkins became the first player in League history to record a sack, an interception, a touchdown reception and a forced fumble in the same game. He completed his career with the Denver Broncos. In 2016, Dawkins returned to the Philadelphia Eagles as a full-time front office executive. The Eagles retired his No. 20 jersey in 2012. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Off the field, Dawkins established the Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation to help disadvantaged young people, families and communities while promoting spiritual, mental and physical wellness. Tickets will be required to attend, with separate prices for adults and students. There will be no tickets sold at the door and no autographs. For tickets or more information, visit www.parkesburgpoint.com. A link to order tickets is also available at www.facebook.com/parkesburg.point. Sponsorships are also available. Interested sponsors should contact Shupp at 610-857-3392, ext. 102, or dshupp@parkesburgpoint.com.
VOL XXXII • NO 2
Girl Scouts Complete Bronze Award Project BY FRANCINE FULTON
As part of their Bronze Award project, members of Parkesburg Junior Girl Scout Troop 415 gathered recently to create shelters for feral cats. The Scouts then donated the shelters to the Parkesburg Area Trap-NeuterReturn (TNR) program.
The Scouts assembled the boxes during a troop meeting held at Parkesburg Church of the Ascension, the troop’s sponsor. “They wanted to do something animal based. We gave them several choices, and this is what they picked,” explained Jenn Rice, who is troop co-leader with Sara McElwee. “The troop paid for the materials.” See Girl Scouts pg 2
Parkesburg Junior Girl Scout Troop 415 created feral cat shelters for Parkesburg Area Trap-Neuter-Return.
Wagontown Chapel Plans Sportsman’s Event
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Ministry Appoints Grieco As Program Director . . . . .2 Community Calendar . . . .5 House Of Worship . . . . . . .6
BY FRANCINE FULTON
Business Directory . . . . . .6
Professional hunter Jeff Danker, host of “BuckVentures Outdoors,” a television show seen on the Sportsman’s Channel, will be the guest speaker at Wagontown Chapel’s Sportsman’s Event, to be held at the church on Saturday, March 26, beginning at 11:30 a.m. In addition to the presentation, the annual event will include light See Sportsman’s Event pg 4
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Library Sets Activities . . .12
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