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AUGUST 12, 2020
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SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVI • NO 35
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Prayers And Encouragement - Local Families Adopt Cops By Ann Mead Ash
Tina Edgell (left) and Sue Esh have both led Adopt A Cop efforts in recent months. Esh helped find families to adopt 133 Lancaster police department officers, and Edgell found families for the East Lampeter and West Earl police officers. The families provide encouragement to their adoptees.
On June 11, Sue Esh of Gordonville was trying to take a nap, but her phone kept beeping. The beeping was alerting Esh to a text from her sister who lives in Tennessee. “She was texting and saying I needed to do something for the Lancaster police,” recalled Esh, whose sister was reacting to a Facebook post from leadership at the Lancaster City Bureau of Police. Esh reposted the item, asking others what could be done to support local officers. “A friend messaged me about a nephew who graduated. (She said that) the school held an adopt-a-graduate program and (she told me) how meaningful that was,” reported Esh. The friend, Verna Fisher, asked if something similar could be done for the police, adding that if Esh would organize the program, she would help.
Through friends, Esh was able to connect with Lancaster Chief of Police Jarrad Berkihiser. On June 15, Esh received permission to organize Adopt A Cop in order to support 133 Lancaster police department officers. Using a Facebook event page, Esh put the word out to family and friends. Within 48 hours, all 133 officers were adopted. About a week later, a volunteer with Adopt A Cop was looking for gift cards to give to the officers. When the volunteer posted on a group page that both Esh and Tina Edgell belong to, Edgell took notice and messaged Esh. With Esh’s guidance, Edgell set up Adopt A Cop programs for East Lampeter Township and West Earl’s finest. All the officers were adopted the same day Edgell asked for volunteer families, June 22. The date was especially important because it was the day after Linda Stoltzfoos disappeared and members of
the East Lampeter Police Department began working 12- to 16-hour shifts. Drawing from the adopting families, she was able to arrange nightly meals for the department for the rest of that week. Esh and Edgell both asked families to take certain actions to support officers. “I stress praying for them as the No. 1 thing and then cards of encouragement,” said Edgell, noting that often when families make a snack for their officer, they decide to bring enough for all the police department members to enjoy. Gift cards and movie baskets are another way to offer support. Friends of Esh’s have taken it upon themselves to set up similar programs for the East Earl and New Holland departments. Adoptive families are allowed to share their email address with their officer, but it is up to the officer to initiate contact. Esh said that often See Local Families pg 3
PEQ
COBYS To Offer Free Online Educational Classes Hiking In Green
Abby Keiser, director, recently announced that the Family Life Education Department at COBYS Family Services, Lancaster, is offering free online support classes.
By Francine Fulton
By Ann Mead Ash
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.”
Outdoor exercise is encouraged during COVID-19 restrictions as a way to stay healthy and positive and maybe even increase defenses against disease. Benefits of exercise may include lower cholesterol and blood pressure, while improving strength, balance, and coordination. Social distancing is usually easier when exercising outside, as well. See Hiking pg 4
See COBYS pg 2
The White Cliffs of Conoy in Marietta (right photo) and Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve (left photo) are both scenic hiking trails located in Lancaster County. Kristen Holloway, founder of the Facebook page Day Hikes of Lancaster County PA, combines her love of hiking and photography to share information about the trails with others.
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