Octorara
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JULY 15, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
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VOL XXX • NO 23
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OAEA Effort Benefits Food Cupboard, The POINT Through the years, members of the Octorara Area Education Association (OAEA) paid to dress casually during the last week of school, with the proceeds going to the Octorara Area Food Cupboard.
With school closed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the OAEA chose to support both the Octorara Area Food Cupboard and the Parkesburg POINT youth center with a fundraiser called “Sweating for the Octorara Community.” As part of the program, the OAEA
invited staff members in the Octorara Area School District to donate to one or both nonprofit organizations through an online form. They were then encouraged to upload a picture of themselves wearing their sweats to go along with the theme of the event, which was “Sweat it out, so our community organizations don’t have to worry.” Carol Dittoe, OAEA communications chair, reported that the first-time fundraising event was very successful. “We had a great outpouring of both contributions and pictures,” said Dittoe. “In one week, the OAEA raised $2,745 for the Octorara Food Cupboard plus (collected) over 100 pounds of food donations, and (we raised) $2,025 for The POINT. “
OAEA president Amanda Kieffer pointed out that during a normal year, the entire Octorara Area School District is invited to participate in the dress-down event during the last week of school. “(This includes) teachers, counselors, classroom assistants, secretarial and clerical staff, medical staff, psychologists, administrators (and others),” she stated. For this year’s effort, photos were posted on the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) website’s feed and on the district’s social media outlets. “Teachers and staff were encouraged to include their families in the pictures to show the family connection with our community,” said Kieffer. Dittoe pointed out that donation amounts were registered virtually and
Members of the Octorara Area Education Association raised funds for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard and the Parkesburg POINT through their “Sweating for the Octorara Community” campaign.
Biking The Road: Tips For Safe Riding The advent of summer typically coincides with an increase of bicyclists on the roads. For some riders, cycling is a form of transportation. For others, it is a mode of relaxation and recreation. For everyone, however, safety is paramount. Lancaster Bicycle Club safety director John Mullineaux listed two overarching principles for safe riding: wear a helmet and behave like a vehicle. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) requires anyone under the age of 12 to wear a helmet, whether they are operating the bicycle or participating as a passenger on a bike or a bike-pulled trailer. PennDOT does not mandate helmets for riders age 12 and older, but it strongly recommends that everyone wears a helmet. Mullineaux agreed, saying, “Wear a helmet. They do help an enormous amount. I’m 70 years old, and I wear a helmet every time I ride.” Although helmets are regulated for children, the age at which youngsters may ride on the road is
EPC Golf Outing To Aid Good Samaritan Services By Dayna M. Reidenouer
Lancaster Bicycle Club safety director John Mullineaux encourages cyclists to wear helmets and behave like vehicles to be safe on the road. not. Instead, that privilege depends on the training and the skill level of the individual rider. Some area school districts provide education to middlegrade students to encourage them to ride bicycles to school. See Biking pg 2
Now more than ever, thanks to jobs and wages lost while the stay-at-home order was in place, resources for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their homes are in demand. Thankfully, Good Samaritan Services (GSS), which serves individuals and families in Lancaster and Chester counties who have poverty-related needs, is prepared to help. “We provide a wide spectrum of services that are customizable to each individual or family at whatever place they are at in their journey to stability,” said Shadoe Settle, GSS
development and communications coordinator. “Our services are always expanding. Right now, we provide emergency shelter, residential housing, and housing support services to men, women, and families in Lancaster and Chester counties. Serving men is a new ability in Lancaster County, and we are very excited about it.” See EPC Golf Outing pg 6
The annual EPC Golf Outing on Sept. 25 will benefit Good Samaritan Services, which provides a range of services to assist individuals overcoming homelessness in Lancaster and Chester counties.
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that the money was donated directly to each charity’s website. Individual families donated nonperishable food items directly to the food cupboard. “People were able to choose between the two organizations, but most donated to both,” Dittoe stated. “We chose these two because they are both vital services to the community.” The Octorara Area Food Cupboard provides supplemental food assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families in need. For more information, readers may visit www.facebook.com /OctoraraAreaFoodCupboard or www.octfood.com. The Parkesburg POINT is a faithbased community center that serves youths ages 8 to 18 in the Octorara Area and Coatesville Area school districts. More information is available at www.facebook.com/parkesburg.point and www.parkesburgpoint.com.
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By Francine Fulton