The former Eagles defensive back hopes the technology can be used as a tool to combat the rise in child suicides.
EPHRATA, Pa. — Mark McMillian has played against some of the best players in NFL history.
But with just one day left until summer vacation, few challenges are more difficult than keeping school kids’ attention.
“I’m passionate about it, and just like playing football, I put 100 percent into everything I do,” McMillian said. “When I put my heart into it and I have great people around me, great things happen.”
When players go on to play at Alabama, as McMillian did, and then in the NFL, they don’t spend much time on the bench ready to go. Now, McMillian hopes the friendship bench at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ephrata is always ready to save a life.
“The Lift Foundation creates a safe place for kids to come together and relax so their peers and teachers can recognize when something is wrong. Child suicide rates are so high right now. No one really knows what’s going on inside kids’ minds,” McMillian said.
For many years, McMillian has traveled to Lancaster County to host football camps to help kids with their physical health, and the funds raised there will help focus on mental health.
“Camp 29 is something we’ve been running for four years and we’re a non-profit so we wanted to make an impact with the proceeds. Every time we camp here we’re going to put a bench in a Lancaster County school,” said Damien Karpoukas with Camp 29.
Signs of bullying, depression or suicidal thoughts can be hard to spot, so even if your child is just sitting on a bench, it can be a sign to classmates and teachers that they need help or just want to talk.
“Children have a safe place to talk, even if they feel lonely at home and need someone to talk to. We don’t want any child to feel alone. No child should feel alone,” Karpoukas added.
More camps mean more benches in and around Lancaster County, and McMillian is looking forward to this day returning, with one exception.
“The kids had great energy and everything went really smoothly, except for the fact that Priest was a Ravens fan,” McMillian recalled with a smile.
The next Camp 29 will be held at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster on Saturday, June 22. More information, including how to register, can be found here.
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