When Ease the Burden (ETB) was founded in 2019, the organization sought to help fill financial gaps for families throughout Lancaster County. In the few years since, however, ETB board members have decided to partner with educators in a pilot program to help area children. They formed a relationship with Pequea Valley School District (PVSD), working with Kathy Koenig, director of student services for PVSD. "We found that we had started to focus specifically on children as the group we were trying to help," said Sean High, one of the founders of ETB. ETB board members plan to connect with other districts in the future.

Along with adjusting the focus, the idea of giving back to the community will be part of ETB's DNA. "We really wanted to emphasize community service," High stated, noting that school staff members will organize community service activities in exchange for ETB funds. "So, you might have a third-grade teacher who would say, 'Let's take a Saturday afternoon to clean the park,'" explained High, who added that in return the class would receive an item that meets an educational need.

When the recipient is an individual child, ETB will take steps to protect the anonymity of the student. Founder Mindy Lapp pointed to a school play as an example. "Due to the pandemic, the booster clubs don't have as much money," she said, adding that all the students in a cast would like T-shirts, but not every child's family can afford one. "(Through ETB), the whole cast could (perform) community service, and they would all get T-shirts," she said. Lapp added that she had spoken with teachers at both the Pequea Valley intermediate and high schools, who told her that students could complete service projects in small groups to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Another goal of ETB will be to connect with area businesses. "We could tie the business partners in with an item, and (the business could put) their logo on it," High said, adding that it is important for businesses to strengthen ties with the community at this time.

"We could do a health bag with toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo to remove the health barriers to education," High said. "(Schools) will tell us the items (that are needed) and the community service (to be completed)." He added that service projects need not be complicated. "It could be raking leaves for elderly people or shoveling snow," he shared, adding that Koenig is working with teachers who have classroom needs and community service ideas in mind.

Lapp added that the new focus will allow ETB to help many more students than they could with individual grants. "If you had 100 kids who receive a needed educational item and 100 hours of community service was served, that goes hand in hand," she said.

ETB board members include, in addition to High and Lapp, Jack Herr, Jill Castor, and Lisa Landis-Blowers. ETB has a website that offers information about the organization and shares opportunities to donate. Readers who would like to learn more may visit http://www.helpetb.org.