Conestoga Valley townlively.com
SEPTEMBER 14, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVIII • NO 38
Exceedingly Rare Event Will Benefit Local Girl BY ANN MEAD ASH
mijah Mahoney is not an ordinary 6-year-old. Nicknamed Lil’ Diva, Amijah is what her mom calls a “ride or die.” “That means she will be there no matter what you need,” said Ashley, Amijah’s mother. Amijah is also unusual because she has a rare disease called chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), which attacks her bones. One of fewer than 500 people in the world with CRMO, Amijah, who was diagnosed in June, will need monthly infusions at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to help keep her bones from becoming damaged, deformed, or broken. While CRMO can go into remission, Amijah expects to fight the rest of her life to avoid becoming disabled. To help alleviate the costs of Amijah’s care, a benefit motorcycle ride dubbed Lil’ Diva’s First Annual CRMO Awareness Benefit Ryde will be held on Sunday, Sept. 25, at Elks Lodge 1933, 170 Akron Road, Ephrata. Registration will begin at
Auction To Help Fund Education
BY ANN MEAD ASH
BY ANN MEAD ASH
“People have started bringing in (items), but it’s not organized yet,” said Mary Yohe, chair of the Leola United Methodist Church (UMC) mission committee, referring to the items that have been donated so far for the church’s annual auction, which benefits students wishing to pursue education after high school. Yohe added that donations from the business community, usually in the form of gift cards, will also be sold. See Fund For Hope pg 10
ing to help the families who need (help) with expenses.” The planned motorcycle ride will take a scenic route. “It’s prettier with the fall foliage coming out,” said Ashley, who noted Amijah enjoys the beauty of nature. “She likes pretty stuff. She will point out a pretty sunset to me,” said Ashley. Part of the ride will be a stop at The Udder Choice in Ephrata. “We will have a little surprise for her during the ride,” said Ashley. “Udder Choice will open up for us to come for ice cream.” Ashley said that Amijah and her brother will arrive in separate cars donated by BDR Automotive of New Holland, where they will meet up with the motorcyclists. Back at the Elks Lodge following the ride, a meal at the pavilion will include hot dogs, broasted chicken from Bright’s restaurant, chips, salad, and baked beans. More information about the event may be found by searching for “Lil’ Diva’s CRMO Journey and Awareness” on Facebook. To purchase tickets, call or text 717-208-0082 or send a message through Facebook.
Amijah Mahoney will be the beneficiary of a fundraiser to help her battle a rare bone disease.
Faith Church To Feature Fall Fest Fun
Heather Leicy of Faith Church is looking forward to the first Fall Fest to be held at the church.
For several years now, Faith Church, 2124 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, has held an annual Trunk or Treat. Heather Leicy, one of the organizers of the fall event, said that this year, the celebration will transform into a fall carnival with a focus on families. “We are changing it up slightly,” reported Leicy. “We wanted to make it more family (oriented) fun.” The first Fall Fest will be held at the church on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. Among the many activities will be food, games for both children and adults, and a
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8 a.m. Kickstands will go up at 10 a.m., and festivities will begin around 1 p.m. Tickets, which are necessary to attend, will be discounted through Saturday, Sept. 24. Amijah was diagnosed at Hershey Medical Center after experiencing back pain. “She was inconsolable,” said Ashley, who tried warm baths to alleviate her daughter’s discomfort. “There was nothing I could do.” Amijah’s primary care physician took X-rays. “They thought she had a fracture in her lower back,” said Ashley, who asked for more testing. Amijah was sent to Hershey, where lesions were found on her back and legs. Since then, Amijah has had two MRIs, and she will be going to Iowa to visit the only CRMO specialist in the U.S. “Infusions and treatments will give her a chance to live a more normal life,” said Ashley, who noted she is working to form a nonprofit organization to raise funds for other children who need CRMO treatment. “This is so rare,” said Ashley. “Every year, we plan to do a ride, but it may be (to raise funds) for another child. We are try-
chance to learn about local community organizations. Planned food items include pizza and pasta. The church will partner with Blessings of Hope, an organization that stores and redistributes food that would otherwise have been wasted. “There will be a bunch of games,” said Leicy, listing a pie-eating contest, a sack race, a three-legged race, and an egg and spoon race. “There will be fun events that kids and adults can sign up for,” she said, adding that a hayride, checkers, pumpkin painting, fall-themed stick-on tattoos, and more are planned. See Faith Church pg 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Greystone Manor Plans Horse Show . . . . . . . . . . .2 Marching Bands To Gather . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .13 House Of Worship . . . . . .16
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