Garden Spot townlively.com
APRIL 30, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 19
CrossNet Ministry volunteers serve the organization in a variety of ways.
Be part of the 14% BY ANN MEAD ASH
D
ur ing A pr il, which is Volunteer Appreciation Month, selfless souls who give time to local organizations are remembered and thanked, but Meghan Ervine, director of
marketing and communications with CrossNet Ministries, notes that sentiment is extended throughout the year. “We always appreciate (our volunteers),” noted Ervine, who presented statistics showing the number of area residents who are helped
yearly by the ministry. “(This is) the impact volunteers have on the EL ANCO community and CrossNet,” she pointed out. “This couldn’t happen without the support of volunteers. It really does take a community.” Indeed, housing 14 families,
providing 593 rides, serving 245 students enrolled in youth center programs, and offering 13,358 pounds of food to 617 individuals each month (and these are just a few of the statistics) are among the many accomplishments of the CrossNet staff members and 835
volunteers - approximately 14% of the population of New Holland. According to Ervine, volunteers come to the ministry in a number of ways. Many are invited to attend the organization’s yearly banquet and sign on to help after learning more about CrossNet’s mission to See CrossNet Ministries pg 5
From teas to bees Kate Merchlinski, who now oversees the New Holland Farmers Day Association floral exhibits, is in awe of her fellow members of the Country Gardeners Club of ELANCO who coordinated the flower exhibits in the Scout building on Roberts Avenue. “They did this for 34 years in the Scout building,” Kate pointed out. “They had so many entries in this tiny place.” Kate, who volunteered with the group for more than a decade before taking the coordinator’s position, especially recalls the intricate lighting system that
BY JEFF FALK
There is simply nothing like one-on-one connections, human touch and personal interaction. They can lift spirits and change lives. Those types of interactions are what Aaron’s Acres is built upon, and collectively they are the driving force behind the local nonprofit’s original program, summer camp. “We accept participants with all
disabilities,” said Elaine Burnett, who’s been a program director at Aaron’s Acres for 12 years. “Their needs vary, from hand over hand to behavior assistance to emotional and communicative assistance. With 1-on-1 or 1-on-2 staffing, we’re able to meet those needs. We’re able to meet those participants where they’re at. It helps us meet the child where their need is right now.” “The traditional summer camp usually has a 1-to-6 or 1-to-8 See Aaron’s Acres pg 8
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See Farmers Day pg 4 The New Holland Farmers Fair floral exhibit
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BY ANN MEAD ASH
Individual attention makes Aaron’s Acres summer camps something special