Conestoga Valley townlively.com
JANUARY 11, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LIX • NO 3
Distributing Joy And Building Goodwill BY ANN MEAD ASH
ooking back at the December 2022 events that gave Lafayette and Witmer fire companies opportunities to give away 6,000 toys between them, Suzi Sutton, who volunteers with both organizations, pointed out that the distribution benefits the community and the 100% volunteer fire stations. “The exciting part is building awareness around our volunteer fire (companies) and in our community and being able to give joy,” she said. Witmer Fire Protective Association, 455 Mount Sidney Road, Witmer, held its third Milk and Cookies With Santa on Dec. 3. Lafayette Fire Company, 63 Lafayette Way, Lancaster, set up at Tanger Outlets on Dec. 10 and toured its coverage area with Santa aboard a company truck. The toy distribution came about through a partnership with The First Responders Children’s Foundation Toy Express, an organization founded to bring toys to the children of first responders killed in the 9/11 attacks. The organization later expanded its mission to bring happiness to children in 150 cities. The organizations joined
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Taking part in the Lafayette Fire Company toy distribution are (from left) Ethan Hutchinson, Jillian Crane of Toy Express, and Bob Sloyer.
up due to Chris Pautler, who had previously served in a college internship with Lancaster EMS and who was connected to Lafayette when the fire company partnered with Lancaster EMS to take part in the Extra Give. After Pautler graduated from Millersville University, he went to work for Toy Express as a key creative marketing staff member. Pautler and Toy Express CEO and president Jillian Crane both attended the Lafayette distribution. Crane rode on
Lafayette’s out-of-service truck and visited the Tanger giveaway. “(Toy Express representatives) jumped in and were hands-on,” reported Sutton, who added that the visitors were able to see the Country Club Apartments and Oaks community locations that day. To promote the events to families in the community, Sutton said the organizations connected with Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County, Power Packs Project, and
Santa toured Lafayette Fire Company’s coverage area on a fire truck on Dec. 10, 2022.
Conestoga Valley School District for help raising awareness. “We networked with nonprofits … to make it successful,” she said, adding that Lafayette serves a diverse area along the Route 30 corridor. “We wanted to promote this for everyone, including tourists (who) are part of our call volume.” Sutton said Lafayette was pleased to have community helpers take part in the distribution along with active fire crew members. She sees the effort
Helpers Wanted - Experience Not Necessary Man Of Many Talents
as a win-win. “It’s how we build community bonds and relationships that will help sustain us,” she said. More information about Witmer Fire Protective may be found at www.witmerfire.com. Readers who would like to learn more about Lafayette Fire Company, named for the Revolutionary War general who lined his troops up along the trail that is now Route 30, may visit www.lafayettefire.com.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
BY ANN MEAD ASH
Whether recounting stories of catching black mambas by hand or surviving a shipwreck off the Alaskan coast, outdoorsman, author, and Christian musician Brent Henderson has one goal for his audiences. “They are listening to more than great outdoor stories,” said Henderson. “(Because) there’s a relationship (they) can have with the One who made it all.” See RTCM pg 2
as those who can build relationships.
See Servants Inc. pg 3
NEW YEAR, N E W F LO O R I N G . Cheers to 2023! We’re excited about this year and the new LVP flooring color options we’ve added to more than 30 in-stock. Come visit our showroom and see for yourself!
Music, Art Programs Planned At GSV . . . . . . . .2 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Christmas Tree Recycling . .8 House Of Worship . . . . . . .8
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When Keith Cotton, director of outreach with Servants Inc., looks for volunteers, carpentry, HVAC, and plumbing skills are not necessarily a requirement. “Physical (home) repairs are important, but we also put an emphasis on building relationships,” said Cotton of Servants Inc., an organization that performs home repairs and construction for those in need. “I think one of the things a lot of our clients are facing, in addition to the physical hardship of needing home repairs, is Servants Inc. is in need of volunteers who know how to build ramps as well loneliness,” Cotton pointed out,
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BY ANN MEAD ASH