Generosity that warms our hearts

Just in the past month, I got a call from Gary Fern, chef at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. He had entered the Lititz Fire and Ice Festival Chili Cook-Off, and competitiors were required to raise money for a charity, so he called us.

Then at the end of February, a news alert popped up in my Inbox. A group called the Danville German Society, out of Montour County, had raised money for three local charities with its annual Elk Toss event. Don’t worry: These hearty German-Americans don’t use real elk (they weigh, like, 800 pounds). It’s a tribute to a German tradition from the old country, and they use the occasion for fun and fundraising. This year, Schreiber was one of the beneficiaries.

Then Jessica Shellenberger, a teacher and coach at Donegal High School, rallied Donegal students to raise money for Schreiber. She coaxed a couple dozen high school kids to stay on their feet for 16 hours, dancing, playing games and hanging out.

These three events combined will bring in several thousand dollars to Schreiber. That’s money that will help us provide services to any family that comes through our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. And we didn’t have to do anything for it. Except say thank you.

So thank you, Dutch Apple, Danville German Society and Donegal. In the middle of a cold, snowy winter, you warmed our hearts.