Morgantown/Honey Brook townlively.com
NOVEMBER 6, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Furry friends provide comfort at vaccine clinic BY FRANCINE FULTON
Event will combine art, food and fellowship BY FRANCINE FULTON
The Empty Bowls project was founded as part of an effort to raise awareness about hunger and as a reminder that “someone’s bowl is always empty.” At Empty Bowl events held worldwide, local artists create and donate handmade ceramic bowls, after which community
members gather for a soup dinner and select a bowl to keep. Locally, the eighth annual Empty Bowls event will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Twin Valley on Friday, Nov. 8, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Conestoga Mennonite Church, 2779 Main St., Morgantown. All proceeds will go to the Twin Valley Food Pantry (TVFP), which is housed See Empty Bowls pg 2
Members of the Rotary Club of Twin Valley gathered this past summer to create bowls for the upcoming Empty Bowls fundraiser.
Bella and her handler, Kim Broach, were on hand during the vaccination clinic at Owen J. Roberts Middle School.
and crying,” said Broach. “After I asked the nurse, I would go up (to the child receiving a vaccine) and I had Bella face away - nowhere near the arm,” said Broach. “If the shot was in the left arm, Bella would be on the right and I would talk about trick-or-treating and Halloween, and it made it easier. The parents were so grateful.” Broach pointed out that Bella has been a therapy dog since 2021. “B ell a went throu g h private training. She did three levels of training and then you go to Good Citizenship training, and she completed that,” said Broach. “(Training makes sure)
that (the pets) are safe around p e ople. (Instr uctors) make loud noises and see how (the pets) react, make sure they are following commands, and they learn how to put their paws on someone’s lap if they are larger dogs.” PAWS for People volunteers choose their assignments based on email messages sent out by the organization. “ There are emails saying , ‘Here are our needs for the month of October.’ We go to Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania,” she said. “I scroll down to Pennsylvania and see which ones fit with my
5K Walk/Run for Life to benefit CCCC BY FRANCINE FULTON
Chester County Connect Care (CCCC), a nonprofit medical care pregnancy center, will present its annual 5K Run/Walk For Life on Saturday, Nov. 9, rain or shine, at Hibernia County Park in Coatesville. In addition to running and walking activities, this year’s event will include a fun run/walk, a Pup Station for dogs and a new element this year, a Diaper Derby for toddlers. By including the special activities, organizers are hoping to
attract local families. “We are super excited about the 5K this year and really are looking forward to an incredible event,” said Stacey McNutt, CCCC events coordinator. “With the addition of the Diaper Derby and some kid-friendly fun, we (hope) many families will continue to come out and enjoy a nice morning with us.” Race-day registration will open at 8 a.m., and the 5K will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the fun run/walk at 9:15 a.m. “The 5K is a paved surface. It has lowgrade inclines and declines and See Run for Life pg 6
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See Furry friends pg 8
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hen the Chester County Health Depar tment held a vaccine clinic recently at Owen J. Roberts (OJR) Middle School, Bella the therapy dog was also on hand to provide comfort and ease anxiety for both children and adults. Bella, 6, a toy poodle, and owner Kim Broach of West Chester, are part of the PAWS for People program, a nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic visits to people who would benefit from interacting with a loving pet. The Delaware-based group was founded in 2005 by former teacher Lynne Robinson. At OJR Middle School, PAWS for People volunteers were asked to visit with people as they waited in line for their vaccine as well as to comfort people afterwards. Since Broach is an advanced practice nurse, she is familiar with the vaccination process. “(We were asked) if someone could be there when people come in and greet them, and if there is a long line, it would give people something to talk about,” Broach said. “The pet is there if a child is upset or if someone needs support, or they can be there after the shot to help stop (children) from crying.” “As a nurse, you have compassion. It takes compassion to do this as well,” she added. “Lynne, the founder, is an amazing woman.” For people receiving a COVID vaccination or a flu shot who have a fear of needles, Bella’s presence in the gymnasium at OJR Middle School, along with the presence of other pets from PAWS for People, was a blessing during the clinic on Oct. 24. “It got so busy … and there were kids on their parents’ laps crying
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