Mervin is 22 years old, but his youthful exuberance gives one the impression that he is younger. As a student at Sunny Sunbeam, one of seven centers in Lancaster and Lebanon counties that serve members of the Plain community with special needs, Mervin is quick to greet a visitor and talk about the activities he enjoys up to three days a week. He points out the stickers he puts on boxes of clothespins that the students package for Georgetown Sales. He says his favorite job to do outside is to mow the lawn behind the workshop.
The other centers - Caring Hearts, Special Hearts Circle, Sunbeam, New Horizons, Valley Workshop, and Shady Hollow - gives the more than 80 students who attend a chance to learn, socialize, and take part in productive work.
To help support the centers, organizers hold a yearly bring-something, buy-something auction. This year's auction will be the 15th annual benefit and it will be held on Monday, July 5, at Fisher's Quality Dairy Sales, 3304B Old Philadelphia Pike, Ronks. The auction will begin at 11 a.m., but a variety of foods will be offered for sale beginning at 5:30 a.m.
Items that will be sold at the auction include flowers and plants, toys, barbecue apparatus, carriages, swing sets, sheds, and quilts made at Caring Hearts, which will be sold at 4 p.m. A garage, which will be built on location for the winner, will also go up for bids.
Food that will be available for purchase at the auction includes breakfast items such as egg sandwiches, doughnuts, breakfast logs, and coffee. Lunch items will include cheesesteak sandwiches, barbecued chicken and ribs, sub sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit cups, french fries, and soft pretzels. Ice cream, fry pies, and baked goods will be on the dessert menu. Food may be eaten on-site or taken out, and a drive-through food pickup will be available.
The centers offer a variety of activities for students. Sarah Fisher, one of five teachers at Sunny Sunbeam, said that the students gather at 9:30 a.m. for devotions each day the center is open. They also spend time singing and sharing news from their individual homes. During recess, they enjoy a yard next to the center. Students also help to mow the lawn or tend the flower beds. In addition to packaging the clothespins, the students make keychains, Lifesaver dolls, baby beads, covered clothes hangers, grape teethers, and other gift items that are sold. During the school year, lessons focus on reading, flashcards, telling time, memory verses, money, and more. Students bring their lunches, or a designated teacher makes lunch. On nice days lunch is eaten outside.
Those who would like to donate items to the sale may call 717-768-8497, 717-354-2380, or 717-768-7417. On the day of the sale, individuals with questions may call 717-983-8415.
Leave a Review