Gehman Mennonite Church - Online Church Bulletin Board: August 2026

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: REAL Life Community Services <robyn@reallcs.org>
Date: Sat, Aug 1, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Subject: August at REAL: Backpacks, Sweet Corn & Dining Out for a Cause!
To: <philandkelly@gmail.com>

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"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together... but encouraging one another."
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Are You Smarter than the Mayor?

This month at our Young at Heart meeting we got a little competitive! Our seniors took on a very important challenge: Are You Smarter Than the Mayor? Inspired by the classic game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, our Young at Heart participants teamed up to test their trivia knowledge against none other than the Mayor of Denver himself... also known as our Executive Director, Rod Redcay!

There were questions. There was teamwork. There was some serious trivia knowledge. And, of course, there may have been a little friendly competition.

We love seeing the creativity, laughter, and connection that happens every week at Young at Heart. What started as a program designed to help older adults build friendships and find community has grown into a place where people come together to learn, laugh, compete, and make memories.

And apparently, everyone was smarter than the Mayor! It was neck and neck, but in the end, the group mind was stronger!

What do you think, are YOU smarter than the Mayor?

Over 250 Backpacks.

One Amazing Community.

Because of the incredible generosity of our community, over 250 backpacks have been filled and are ready for local students as they head back to school.

Each backpack is packed with the supplies students need to start the school year prepared and confident. More importantly, each one represents neighbors caring for neighbors and a community coming together to support local families.

We would like to extend a special thank you to:

dormakaba USA Inc.
UGI
Middle Creek Church

...as well as the many individuals and families who donated school supplies, hosted collection drives, or found other ways to support this year's Backpack Program. Every donation played a part in making this year's program a success.

The backpacks will be distributed during National Night Out on August 4, where families throughout the Cocalico School District will receive this practical encouragement as they prepare for the new school year.

Thank you for helping lighten the load for local families and for continuing to connect our community to hope.

🌽 Calling All Corn Fans: Harvest Season Is Here!

The REAL Life Community Garden has been hard at work this summer, and we're excited to share that sweet corn harvest is here!

Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, we've already planted:

🧅 15,000 onions
🍉 500 watermelon plants
🍅 Hundreds of peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes
🌽 Nearly 4 acres of sweet corn

Together, these crops will help provide fresh, nutritious produce for families throughout our community.

As the growing season continues, we're entering one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year. Harvest season is a hands-on effort, and volunteers play an important role in bringing fresh produce from the field to the families we serve.

If you've ever wanted to experience the Community Garden, now is a great time to join us! We currently have volunteer opportunities available:

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Whether you're able to come once or several times throughout the harvest season, we'd love to have you alongside us.

Sign up to volunteer: https://cerv.is/0020gdi7gqE

Or for more information, contact Beny by calling 717-336-7797 ext 204, or email beny@reallcs.org

Thank you to everyone who has planted, weeded, watered, and cared for the garden this season. Because of your time and dedication, fresh food and hope continue to grow right here in our community.

A Community Tradition Returns

We're grateful for community partners like Barry's Paint Shop, who continue to invest in the work of REAL Life Community Services.

On Saturday, August 15, Barry's Paint Shop will once again host its annual Car Show, bringing together classic cars, great conversations, and neighbors from across our community. For years, this event has been a fun tradition while also helping support the mission of REAL Life.

If you're planning to spend some time enjoying the cars or visiting with friends, be sure to stop by and say hello. We're thankful for the opportunity to be part of an event that reflects what our community does so well: coming together to care for one another.

A special thank you to everyone at Barry's Paint Shop for their continued generosity and partnership in connecting our community to hope.

8 Restaurants. 8 Chances to Dine Out for REAL!

One of our favorite community traditions is just around the corner!

From August 17 through August 27, eight local restaurants will partner with REAL Life Community Services for our annual Dine Out for a Cause fundraiser. On eight different days throughout the two weeks, a participating restaurant will donate a portion of its sales to support the work happening right here in our community.

We are incredibly grateful for these local businesses that choose to invest in our mission. Their generosity reminds us that caring for our neighbors is truly a community effort.

Here's a preview of this year's lineup:

Week 1

Monday, August 17: Texas Roadhouse
Tuesday, August 18: Courtyard Cafe on Main
Wednesday, August 19: Two Cousins Pizza in Stevens
Thursday, August 20: Rural City Beer Co.

Week 2

Monday, August 24: Park Place Diner
Tuesday, August 25: Castanedas Mexican Restaurant
Wednesday, August 26: Cocalico Coffee Crafters
Thursday, August 27: Tin Roof Cafe n' Sweets

We'll be sharing the full schedule, restaurant details, and everything you need to know as the fundraiser gets closer. Until then, keep these dates in mind, and help us celebrate the wonderful local restaurants that make events like this possible.

Make Sure to Say Hi!

As another school year begins, REAL Life Community Services will once again be part of the Cocalico School District Open House's on August 20.

Showing up matters. That's why we make it a priority to be present at community events throughout the year, creating opportunities to connect with families, answer questions, and make sure people know where to turn when life becomes difficult.

During Open House, we'll be sharing information about programs that support local students and families throughout the school year, including Power Packs, which provides participating families with a weekly box of groceries, and Momentum, our Tuesday evening mentoring program where middle and high school students build relationships with caring adults in a safe, welcoming environment.

Whether someone needs support today or months from now, we want them to know there's a place in our community where they'll be welcomed with compassion and hope.

If you'll be attending an Open House, we'd love to catch up and say hello. More importantly, we're grateful for every opportunity to be present, build relationships, and continue connecting our community to hope.

Join us in Prayer & Praises

We know there are many meaningful ways to partner with us, and one of the most impactful is through prayer. That’s why we’re beginning a new initiative—inviting those who visit our office or warehouse to share their prayer requests with us.

If you’d like to come alongside us in lifting up these needs, we’d love to have you join our prayer email list. Simply click the button below to sign up and receive updates so you can pray with us regularly.

Join our Prayer Team!

This Month’s Prayers & Praises

Praises

Praise the Lord for His provision through our fundraisers and faithful donors.
Praise God for the approval of the permits for the expansion of Willow Creek Grocery Store! This expansion will bless both the store and the community by creating more space to offer more food.
Praise the Lord for a Glory House program participant who has graduated into a new apartment and completely independent living!

Prayer Requests

Pray for the Lord's direction as we look for a few new tenants and a new participant for the Glory House Program. We do not want to rely on our own human eyes and understanding in these decisions, but fully allow Him to direct us to the people He wants us to work with.
Pray for increased food donations. Our food distribution programs are growing, and we can only continue this work through the generosity of our donors. Please pray that new doors open for milk and meat supplies.
Pray for our Board as they work to approve our 2026-2027 budget. We know that the Lord is our provider, and we want to make sure we are hearing from Him in every decision we make. This is His ministry!

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer — it truly makes a difference.

Help us keep these programs and more going! Consider a generous gift today to Connect the Community to Hope!

Give Now

First Friday Food Drive

August 7th

Every first Friday of the month, we host a food drive in the back parking lot of the Declaration House. It’s a way the community can give back and help donate items that we need.

You can drop off food at any time from 3-5 pm on that Friday.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Mondays, 8-9PM

Ladies AA

Thursdays, 6:30-7:30PM

Meeting at the Lighthouse Community Center.

Momentum

Summer Break- Be back Oct. 6th

Momentum guarantees a young person that there is someone who cares about them. A child needs to know that they are not alone in dealing with the day-to-day challenges of life.

Momentum meets at the Lighthouse Community Center throughout the school year following the Cocalico School District calendar.

Young at Heart

Wednesdays, 9-11AM

All events are free and are for individuals that are 60 years and older. Coffee, chatting, games, speakers, and MORE! Come out and get to know others in your community!

1st & 3rd Wednesdays we meet at Adamstown Area Library!

2nd & 4th Wednesdays we meet at Faith Evangelical United Lutheran Church in Denver!