Warwick /townlively
IN THIS ISSUE: MOUNT HOPE PLANS CHICKEN BARBECUE page 3
MAY 27, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 18
Working To Grant Wishes Virtual Convoy Scheduled For Aug. 16 By Ann Mead Ash
In April, COVID-19 restrictions put Make-A-Wish of Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening diseases, in a precarious position. Concern for the children served by Make-A-Wish, who fall into high-risk categories, was of the utmost importance. Wishes were postponed, and the popular Mother’s Day Convoy, which was
ready to make a move to the Manheim Auto Auction, was postponed. The convoy is now scheduled as a virtual event to be held on Sunday, Aug. 16. In the meantime, Make-A-Wish needed to raise funds, preparing to grant more than 450 local wishes when the organization is able. To make those wishes come true, the organization embarked on a virtual giving week, held from April 22 to 29. Area residents responded positively to the effort, and by mid-May nearly $100,000 had been raised mainly by 18 teams and 66 participants. Dennis Heron, president and CEO of
Make-A-Wish of Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley grants the wishes of children with life-threatening diseases. While COVID-19 restrictions have made that mission difficult, the organization recently held a giving week that raised nearly $100,000 toward making that goal easier.
MHALC Offers Mental Health Support A lot has been said lately about the importance of physical health as it pertains to the novel coronavirus. However, as people stay confined to their homes or report to jobs where they might be putting themselves at risk of illness, mental health must not be forgotten. “It is just as important to take protective action and precautions for your mental health as you
would for your physical health. One cannot exist without the other,” advised Kim McDevitt, executive director of Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC). “COVID-19 has changed the way we think about things. Where we had safety, we have insecurities. We are also conflicted with feeling anxious but also grateful for some of the gifts that we have received as a result of this crisis. The forced series of events and feelings associated with them can throw our equilibrium off.” MHALC’s mission is to promote optimal mental health through advocacy, education, and support, so the organization has stepped up its efforts to help individuals cope with these trying times.
Make-A-Wish of Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley, said that the organization was “blown away” by the support. “On behalf of the children and families we serve, we thank everyone who donated for their dedication to the Make-A-Wish mission, especially during these challenging
times,” said Heron. On May 9, Make-A-Wish announced that the decision to turn the convoy into a virtual event had been made by staff and volunteer convoy planning committee members, and that the August date had been set. The decision was based on See Make-A-Wish pg 3
Sweet Pea Plants Special Garden Online By Ann Mead Ash
More than 10 years ago, Stephanie Paige Cole, founder of Sweet Pea Project, an organization that offers comfort and support to families that have experienced the death of a baby, and her board members began holding a Sisters and Brothers Picnic for children who had a sibling who was lost
See MHALC pg 2
Mental Health America of Lancaster County leaders, including (from left) president Tracey Lavallias, executive director Kim McDevitt, and vice president Julie Weaver, have worked together to ensure their organization is prepared to offer increased mental health support.
during pregnancy or infancy. This year’s event was to be held on Saturday, June 6, at Dutch Wonderland. When the picnic was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Cole wanted to re-create a part of the picnic in time for Mother’s Day, which was held on May 10. A special part of the picnic is a chance to visit an area inside Dutch Wonderland that has been See Sweet Pea pg 5
Sweet Pea Project, an organization that offers comfort and support to families that have experienced the death of a baby, has created a virtual flower garden that mothers and other family members may use to honor the child they lost. Although the virtual garden was created for Mother’s Day, it will be available into the future for those who would like to dedicate a flower to their child.
FOR SALE DISCOUNT APPLIANCES
717-733-7730 717-859-3131 717-786-7373 martinsappliance.com
Save Every Day!
R059238
Blemished - Scratch & Dent - See Store for Details PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER MAY 27, 2020
Postal Patron
WAR
By Dayna M. Reidenouer
Clowns gathered for a photo at a past Mother’s Day Truck Convoy, which raises funds for Make-A-Wish. The 2020 convoy has been rescheduled as a virtual event on Aug. 16.