These past few months have been trying for our community. Shutdowns and quarantines were enforced as COVID-19 spread across the globe and into our county. Despite the frightening reality that settled in, we stood together and tried to find positivity amidst the fear.

Reasons to Smile

Local Businesses:

“We are thankful that we are well and that we enjoy being in our house and walking about our property. Our Magnolia stellata is blooming its little heart out right now, its blossoms filling the air with its sweet perfume. Just smelling and looking at it lifts our spirits. If the coronavirus had to come to us, I am so glad that it came at this time of year. Our earth’s beauty is a powerful stress-reliever – and never more so than in the springtime.” – Vivian of Pheasant Run Farm Bed & Breakfast

“Honestly, our community is what’s keeping us smiling these days! Even though we had to close our physical studio space, our teachers have been sticking with us and their students, posting and recording virtual class offerings to keep our offerings going, no matter what! At first, we posted through Facebook Live and now we’ve started a West End Yoga Lancaster YouTube channel! We can’t pay the teachers this week, but they’re still generous enough to put up these classes for their students for free(!!). And we’re hearing from our students and community members that it is helping so much. It just feels like no matter what challenge we’re going through, we’re all sticking together and facing it together.” – Jonina at West End Yoga 

“I would say for the staff here at RCC, the things that have made us smile would be truly experiencing how much Lancaster City supports their local businesses and how so many people have gone out of their way to stop in and purchase gift cards or give us a shout out. Simply seeing how through such a stressful time, the people of Lancaster city have been so kind with their words to our staff of encouragement or going above and beyond leaving them tips way higher than necessary simply to help them financially. It has all but brought tears to my eyes (and a smile of course) to see how generous and kind the folks of Lancaster can be in times of difficulty.” – Rolled Cold Creamery

Facebook/Social Comments:

“Cleaning and purging and enjoying a fresh room!” – Dyan E.

“The ability to video chat with family and friends that I can’t visit in person right now!” – Kristin F.

“Sunshine”  – LCM Instagram follower (@beckmiri) 

“Went for a walk with our dog and 16-month-old this beautiful morning and saw 2 ducks!”
– LCM Instagram follower (@ajcb1515)

Local Businesses Doing Good: 

Through generous donations from local individuals, Speckled Hen Coffee was able to provide 50 meals and coffee to nurses and staff at Lancaster General Hospital, gift cards to families in the community, 7 meals to Timberline Church transitional housing for single moms, and over 60 meals distributed by The Factory Ministries – in just one week!

Oola Bowls added a “Donate a Bowl” option to their online ordering for essential workers like nurses, doctors, police officers and grocery store employees. So far, they have already made donations to the Emergency Department at Lancaster General Hospital and the Hospitalist Team at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital.

551 West offered “Carry Out with A Cause” where a portion of their sales went directly to nonprofits. They’ve made donations to Vision Corps, Meals on Wheels and Arch
Street Center.

Per Diem at Rock Lititz made care packages for their employees while they were closed.