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townlively.com
MARCH 24, 2021
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVII • NO 14
KEEP THE WATER OUT: Waterproofing a Basement or Crawl Space
Published by Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. | townlively.com
Reaching Out To Support Grieving Parents Ministry Looks To Expand Offerings BY ANN MEAD ASH
Jim Brashear (left), pastor of Limeville United Methodist Church, and Jeff Markle who oversees the Blessings Store clothing ministry at the church.
Partnership Gives Away Hundreds Of Coats BY ANN MEAD ASH
lthough the coat giveaway for area men, women, and children held at The Factory was not announced far in advance, cars were lined up two abreast in the Together Community Center parking lot a halfhour before the event started on Feb. 13. Some waiting in line were also there for the Fresh Express grocery giveaway, held monthly at The Factory, but a number had come to protect themselves or their children from the cold with a new coat. The coats, which were given away until 2 p.m., were provided through a partnership between The Factory and the Blessings Store, a clothing bank ministry of Limeville United Methodist Church, 5783 Limeville Road, Gap. The store is a project of Limeville pastor Jim Brashear and Jeff Markle, who travels from the Allentown area to oversee the clothing bank that was started at the church in late 2020. “ We have partnered with the school districts,” said Markle, who
“We are hoping we will be able to help families in need.” “It was his vision 15 years ago to open a store in downtown Allentown for homeless and those in need,” said Markle. When Markle retired, he took over the Allentown store, partnering with the Burlington Coat Factory in the area to hold a coat drive each October and November. “I would give out 500 coats in the Lehigh Valley between November and January (annually),” said Markle, who noted Burlington customers could bring a clean coat in good condition to donate to receive a discount from the store.
Customers could also purchase a coat to donate. Markle said about 20% of the collected coats are gently used, and the rest are purchased new. The 250 coats collected to be given away at The Factory were donated at the Trexlertown Burlington Coat Factory store between Thanksgiving of 2020 and Jan. 9, 2021. Markle said that he is at the Blessings Store at the Limeville Church on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. “If people can’t make it at that time, we can make arrangements,” Markle said, adding, “We follow all the social distancing guidelines and (require) masks.” Only one family is served in the store at a time. “We are hoping we will be able to help families in need,” said Markle. In addition to clothing, the store offers a limited selection of free hygiene items for adults, teens, children, and infants. Those wishing to visit the store may call 610-349-3458 to arrange a time to shop. To learn more about the church, visit www.limevillechurch.org. Specific questions may be answered at 717442-4010 or limevilleumc@gmail.com.
See Reaching Out pg 5
Dan Steinman, BASIS ministry assistant.
Tips For Marketing With Websites
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Spreading Dementia Friendliness Countywide . . . . . . . . . . . .4
BY DAYNA M. REIDENOUER
During the pandemic and the subsequent changes to shopping, dining, and business practices, websites have been indispensable. “More and more during COVID, (the internet) becomes the place where transactions happen. (People are) placing orders and buying products (online),” explained marketing expert Adam Grim. “Websites are the first impression for the business. In most cases these days,
STEM Camp, Club And More Posted . . . . . . . . . . .5 UL Township Offices Move To New Location . . . . . . . .8 House Of Worship . . . . . .10 Business Directory . . . . .10 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .13
See Marketing pg 6
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noted that the church has been in contact with both Pequea Valley and Octorara Area school districts. “We have sent out emails to parents telling them we have clothing for families in need,” he added. The clothing ministry has roots in Bethany Church, located in Allentown, where Brashear was pastor at the time the ministry started.
BASIS, a Christian support group for grieving parents, is currently operating in six locations in Lebanon, Chester, and Lancaster counties and the state of Delaware. The decades-old ministry is part of Handi-Vangelism Ministries International in Ephrata. BASIS stands for Brothers And Sisters In Support, and the ministry provides resources, educational workshops, structured gatherings, and more for bereaved couples and single parents. In July of 2020, Dan Steinman, who is now a BASIS ministry assistant, retired from his job as a maintenance mechanic to become a representative for the ministry. “Never did I picture I would be doing anything like this when I retired,” said Dan. In fact, after Dan and his wife, Phyllis, lost their son, Andy, in an auto accident four years ago, Dan did not initially attend BASIS meetings. But when Phyllis came home from meetings she attended in Akron, Dan had
questions for her. “Nobody ever pictures losing a child,” stated Dan. Now, Dan wants to let those who have shared his experience of losing a child know that BASIS is there for them. “Your heart just goes out to people,” said Dan, who added that the loss of a child can lead to a shift in a parent’s social network. “Everyone is there at the beginning, but the friendship circle changes (in time),” explained Dan, who noted that BASIS brings grieving people together to walk beside each other.