The AAAOK (Aaron’s Acres Acts of Kindness) program provides adolescents ages 13-21 the opportunity to engage in age-appropriate community service projects with their peers during summer camp.
AAAOK was very busy during session 2 and participants volunteered at a number of locations over the course of 2 weeks, including Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity and ELANCO CrossNet Ministries. At Habitat for Humanity, participants worked on crafts for new homeowners, including key holders and signs. At CrossNet Ministries, participants put together lunches for the food program.
Audrey Lilley, Volunteer Services Manager for the Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity shared the following about the experience working with our participants:
“We were thrilled to have campers from Aaron’s Acres volunteer with us this month at Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity. In addition to building homes, our organization also strives towards building communities and having your campers take the time to support our partner families shows how it truly takes a village for all of us to thrive. Our homeowners were so excited to receive the key holders and signs that your campers lovingly crafted and will leave a lasting impression on the participants of our Homeownership Program for years to come.”
ABOUT LANCASTER LEBANON HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
“Since 1986, Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity has been building and renovating homes, as well as revitalizing neighborhoods, throughout Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. We believe that when individuals and families live in an affordable, stable home, they are better able to secure other essentials and opportunities in life, such as higher education, medical care, nutritious food and job opportunities. Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
“Through our first-time homebuyers program, families purchase a Habitat home with an affordable monthly mortgage. Our homebuyers work side by side with volunteers to complete hundreds of hours of sweat equity. Through education, counseling, mentor support and affordable housing costs, families are put in a position for future success in homeownership. Ninety-five percent of our homeowner families are living in their Habitat homes today, and 67 percent of all Habitat homeowners increase their income.
“We are also proud to run the Habitat ReStore in Lancaster. Habitat ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers. The items they sell are available to the public and similar to what you may see in other home good stores, such as a brand new box of tile you’ve been needing for your bathroom project or a vintage treasure you won’t find anywhere else. However, Habitat ReStores are more than just resell stores. The purpose of Habitat ReStores is to contribute to the work of Habitat for Humanity. When you support your local ReStore by shopping, donating or volunteering, you are not only supporting your local community, you’re also helping the mission to provide decent shelter to everyone around the world.
“By supporting Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity, you can make a lasting difference in our community and transform lives. You can empower families with dignity, strength and stability. Join the movement today by volunteering or giving through https://lancasterlebanonhabitat.org/.”
ABOUT ELANCO CROSSNET MINISTRIES
“CrossNet offers help and hope in the Elanco school district by empowering families and sharing the love of Jesus. We provide services in the area of Youth, Food & Nutrition, Social Services and Community.
“Our Food Programs include Food Pantry, CrossNet Meal Packs, Buddy Bags and our Free Summer Lunch Program. In our Food Pantry we are currently serving on average 130 families and 450 individuals a month. We are a free choice pantry and families can shop one time a month. Our Free Summer Lunch Program is open to children in the Elanco school district that are on the free or reduced lunch program. We are currently serving around 170 lunches a day. CrossNet Meal Packs is a weekend meal solution that encourages families to make a meal and enjoy it together. Our Buddy Bag program runs through the school year and bridges the food gap over the weekend for students so they are ready to learn on Monday! Bags are sent home through the school district on the last learning day of the week.”
We are so grateful for these opportunities to partner with the local community each season and look forward to more partnerships in the future! Thank you to Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity and ELANCO CrossNet Ministries for having our AAAOK participants this summer!
