“Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.” – Maya Angelou
Here it is! This week’s roundup of all the beautiful good happening in our local communities!
1. Dieffenbach's Free Potatoes
If you were anywhere near the Berkshire Mall on Wednesday of last week, you might have been caught in a sea of cars making their way into the mall parking lot. The line of cars wrapped around the entire mall and backed traffic up to both State Hill and Paper Mill Roads. All of this fuss was caused by Dieffenbach's Free potato giveaway!
Dieffenbach's is a family-owned company, and they make kettle chips that are to die for! In an effort to eliminate food waste due to the coronavirus, Dieffenbach's decided to organize a FREE potato giveaway, and Pennsylvania showed up! If you’d like to support this wonderful business, you can shop at their online store at www.diffenbachs.com/shop.
2. Jeremy Emerich Memorial
I feel it would be inauthentic not to recognize and address the horrific nature of this virus. Last week, the Lehigh Valley Hospital lost one of their best critical care EMTs and MedEvacs to his battle with coronavirus. A long-time volunteer with the Fleetwood Fire Company and an officer with the Exeter Township Fire Department, Jeremy was loved beyond words not only for his sacrifices but for who he was as a person.
A loving partner, friend, and father to three children, he was an irreplaceable person in the lives of those who loved him. To recognize Jeremy for his love and compassion, local emergency responders from around Berks county were quick to plan a salute ceremony as the procession carrying his remains drove him to his final resting place. Firetrucks, ambulances, police cars, and many more emergency vehicles lined stretches of this route as the MedEvac flew overhead, sending off their fallen comrade with the highest level of respect and honor he deserved. There is nothing pretty about this disease, but there is beauty in the outpouring of love, kindness, and support for those who need it most.
3. Gender Reveals
In times of physical distancing, people are putting a new spin on traditional gatherings. In the past few weeks, two very good friends of mine announced their pregnancies followed shortly after with a virtual gender reveal!
Both couples chose the world’s best stock option (if you opted in pre-corona), Zoom to share the gender of their babies. One couple announced through the daddy-to-be’s choice of a pink or blue koozie for his beverage, the other chose powder bombs. Both outcomes were the same – two BOYS will be joining the ranks of our friend groups! Congratulations to both beautiful couples!
4. Elmwood Park Zoo
Because no one can go to the zoo, Elmwood Park is bringing the zoo to you! Through their Facebook page, they have been hosting short educational videos called Zoo School Live! Every few days, they introduce us to a new animal at the zoo, give a little background on the animal’s behaviors, history, and habitats. While the content is largely geared towards younger viewers, it’s also fun, light, and informative!
Each episode of Zoo School Live comes with an activity that relates to the animal in the video for your young ones to complete! There are quizzes, coloring book pages, and craft instructions all to help keep your kids entertained and occupied. The amount of care, time, and love put into each video is inspiring!
If you want to check out Zoo School Live, give Elmwood Park Zoo a follow on Facebook!
5. Dad, How do I?
I am breaking the rules for the second time in Spreading Local Love! While Dad, How Do I? is not necessarily local, it is an incredibly heartwarming story. I’ll let you check out Rob Kenney’s YouTube Channel for the whole story, but essentially Rob grew up without a father. After raising two kids of his own, he set out to start a YouTube channel dedicated to answering the questions kids typically call their dad for. How do I change a tire? How do I unclog the toilet? How do I tie a tie?
His videos are heartwarming, easy to follow, and lighthearted – not to mention he’s ready with a dad joke every time. If you’re looking for some simply wholesome content, check out Dad, How do I? on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNepEAWZH0TBu7dkxIbluDw
That’s this week’s roundup! Keep an eye out of the beauty in your world. You never know what you might be missing!
Of course, there are so many more people doing great things in our local communities that I plan to highlight every week! If you know a business or person who is doing something remarkable in their local community, or you simply have a piece of good news to share, please shoot me an email at brittleighwrites@gmail.com so that I can add them to my list!
Stay safe, stay healthy, wash your hands, and always care for others.
Happy helping!
Britt
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