THE ISSUE: Monday is the day when we highlight the good news in Lancaster County, and the surrounding area. Some of these items can be welcomed developments on the economic front, or for local neighborhoods. Other stories are of local achievement, perseverance and compassion that provide welcome light as this long pandemic enters its final winter. All of these positive stories deserve a brighter spotlight.
LancasterOnlines Mike Andrelczyk reported earlier.| LancasterOnlines Mike Andrelczyk reported earlier this month.
The church owns the land. It saw the project as an opportunity to implement ecological justice for the future, present, and past.
It is part what the church considers its greater mission beyond its walls.
Brenda Horst, a long-standing member of Landisville Mennonite Church, stated that the congregation has always been conscious of the needs of those around it.
Christopher Fretz, who was involved in the organization of the project, is also a member the congregation. He said: We certainly see part of our faith being good stewards for the earth, of God’s creation. … We want land to be sustainable and healthy for future generations.
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay organized the event with the help of organizers. River pollution can be reduced by forestry.
Ryan Davis from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay stated that it is vital to have forests all over the land. They prevent rainwater from rushing into the streams. They act as big sponges on top of the landscape.
Fretz said that the project was multigenerational because Fretz noted that volunteers included elderly members and children as young at 5 and 6.
Added Horst … It was a reminder of the fact that this is not just for us. It is for everyone downstream. Our community and future generations.
We applauded them all for their efforts, and we were glad to see that they might have inspired other places of worship in the area to start similar projects.
Other goods and services:
We were again cheered by all the local letters of gratitude that appeared in the LNP Opinion Section on Christmas Day.
These letters are always a source of laughter, as they tell stories of random acts, paying it forward, and anonymous patrons picking up tabs at restaurants.
We loved the story of two sisters aged 10 and 3 who set up a hot cocoa stand in their front yard to raise funds for Christmas charities. Every little bit helps. Their efforts, while they sat outside on a windy morning, made a difference.
We also appreciated the thank you letter from Danielle Peters (director of Columbia Food Bank), who praised all the community groups that helped those in need.
A portion of Peters’ letter:
It was dark and cold when Santas elves, angels and other spirits visited Columbia Food Bank. They arrived disguised as Mountville Lions Club members, and Scout Troop 339. They couldn’t fit the gift in Santa’s sleigh so a UHaul truck was used. There were 5,600 pounds worth of food supplies.
This food was made possible by the Mountville Lions Club and Dayspring Christian Academy. It was collected, donated, and delivered to our doorstep.
Congratulations to McCaskey High School sophomore Jerimiah Munoz. This boxer won the recent national championships and was selected for the 2022 USA Boxing Junior National Team.
It’s a first for Munoz, the team at Lancaster City Boxing Academy where he trains, and for Lancaster, LNP | LancasterOnline correspondent Stephanie Bradford wrote in a front-page article for LNP last week.
Jamil Ali, president, USA Boxings Middle Atlantic Association wrote in an email that this is an incredible feat for a young boxer. This was not an easy feat, but he was able achieve this goal by beating the top boxers in the country.
Munoz will have the opportunity to train at U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center Colorado Springs, Colorado. He may even be able compete in international boxing events.
This month’s social media feeds were filled with positive acts and bright moments from local school districts.
Bear Creek School in Elizabethtown Area School district held its annual Holiday Giving Tree, food drive and gift-giving programs. More than 100 students received gifts purchased by Bear Creek staff, the Elizabethtown Brethren, St. Peter Catholic Church, Northwest Regional Police Department, and the Department of Corrections.
Residents at Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center enjoyed Christmas and classical music by the Lancaster Mennonite High School Orchestra.
National Honor Society students from McCaskey High School made 300 holiday cards to distribute at local retirement homes.
A fifth-grade class from the Lampeter Strasburg School District chose the Pet Pantry in Lancaster County and Caitlins smiles (a regional nonprofit that provides creative arts activities for children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses) to be its service projects. Students collected pet supplies, and made cards to distribute them.
These are just a few of the many good things happening in our schools and communities.
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