Conestoga Valley townlively.com
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 39
Hudson Rice has a heart for helping BY JEFF FALK
H
udson Rice likes toys as much as any 10-year-old does. But Hudson dislikes homelessness more than he likes toys. Hudson, a fourth-grader at Smoke tow n E lementar y, is selling toys to aid people experiencing homelessness in the Conestoga Valley area. It’s one of those grassroots initiatives that attracts others because it’s so easy to get behind. “We were in Chicago when I saw a homeless person for the first time,” said Hudson. “I asked my mom (Melissa Rice) about it and if I could do something. I decided I wanted to do a toy sale. I decided I wanted to sell my toys. It just hurts me to the core to see people without homes. There are homeless people everywhere.” That was four years ago, and Hudson’s Toy Sale has evolved into a robust community event.
The next edition of the annual toy sale will be conducted on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Victory Church, 1827 Freedom Road, Suite 103, Lancaster, located within the Greenfield corporate center. The event will also feature a bake sale, a silent auction,
“It just hurts me to the core to see people without homes.” fundraising games, entertainment, face painting, food and drinks, with all proceeds going to Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services (CVCCS). “(Hudson’s Toy Sale is) fun and energetic,” said Neal Rice, Hudson’s dad. “Homelessness is a serious issue and a tough issue to think about. But the day of the sale has an atmosphere of the
community coming together.” Some of the brand-new or lightly used toys that will be available at the sale are Legos, board games, other games and stuffed animals. In addition to helping a great cause, Hudson’s Toy Sale will provide individuals with an opportunity to get in a little early Christmas shopping. “We’re really proud that he had this idea and that he was willing to put some time and energy into it,” said Neal. “It’s grown beyond what a young child can do himself, but he’s still very engaged in it. Our family and church have really embraced the idea.” With the financial support of business sponsors like Bank of Bird-in-Hand, Clark Associates and Legacy Law and the work of 40 volunteers, including Hudson’s friends and classmates, this year’s toy sale is well on the way toward its goal of raising $20,000 for homelessness programs at CVCCS. Last year,
Hudson Rice promotes his annual toy sale, which benefits programs
See Hudson’s Toy Sale pg 8 that help people who are homeless in Conestoga Valley.
BY JEFF FALK
Dennis Steiner is legally blind. That doesn’t make him any more qualified to be the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of VisionCorps, but it certainly does provide him with a unique perspective and a very specific insight into the organization and its purpose. “It does give me a perspective that others might not have,” said Steiner. “There are qualities that a CEO must have. But I don’t
think blindness gives me any leadership qualities.” “My vision tends to fluctuate,” Steiner continued. “I don’t drive a car. I take the bus to work and usually catch a ride home or use Uber. I use assisted software on my computer (to read). If I’m reading for extended periods of time, I use audiobooks. For me, I grew up with vision loss. I don’t think of my vision loss as who I am. It’s something I deal with.” Located at 244 N. Queen St., Lancaster, VisionCorps serves See VisionCorps pg 2
An autumn celebration BY JEFF FALK
The agendas of active people tend to fluctuate with the seasons. At Faith Church during autumn, members enjoy community involvement, the laughter of children and seeing the fruits of their labors. Members of the church’s outreach team take all those sorts of activities, sprinkle them with love and charity and call them Faith Church’s Fall Fest. “Summer has wound down, and the kids have gone back to school,” said Heather Leicy, who’s been a member of Faith Church’s outreach team for seven years. “You can get into a routine, but this changes things up for a day. That cool weather invites people to come out and enjoy time together. Everyone just loves the fall.” Located at 2124 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, Faith Church will conduct its third annual Fall Fest on Youth contestants compete in the whoopie Sunday, Sept. 29, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. With an old-school, pie-eating contest at last year’s Fall Fest at See Fall Fest pg 3 Faith Church.
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VisionCorps can bring life into focus