EPHRATA, Pa. — Mark McMillian has faced some of the best players the NFL has ever seen.
But few challenges rival holding the attention of a school of kids, with only one day left before the summer break.
"I'm passionate about it. Everything I do I go 100%, the same way I played the game of football," remarked McMillian. "When I put my mind to it and I have great people around me, as well, amazing things happen."
When one plays at Alabama, and then the NFL, like McMillian's path, they usually don't spend too much time on the bench, where players are always ready to go into the game. Now McMillian hopes the friendship bench at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ephrata is always ready to save lives.
"The Lift Foundation creates a safe place for these kids to be able to come and hang out, for their peers, as well as their teachers, to be able to recognize when something is going wrong. The suicide rate is so high right now with kids. Nobody really knows what's going on in these kids' minds," said McMillian.
For years, McMillian has been coming to Lancaster County to host football camps to help kids with their physical health. The money raised there, helps turn their focus to mental health.
"It's Camp 29 that we've been running now for four years and the proceeds we wanted to take and make an impact with any extra money because we're a nonprofit. Every time we have a camp here, we're going to be putting a bench in Lancaster County school," said Damien Kalpokas with Camp 29.
Seeing the signs of bullying, depression, or even suicidal thoughts can be tough, so if a child simply sits down on the bench, it's a sign to their classmates and teachers that they need help, or just want to talk.
"They have a safe place to talk, even if they're feeling lonely at home and they need somebody to be able to talk to, we don't want any kid to feel alone. No kid should feel alone," added Kalpokas.
With more camps, comes more benches, in Lancaster County, and beyond. It's a day McMillian looks forward to repeating, with one exception.
"The energy for the kids was amazing. Everything ran real smooth, besides the Priest being a Raven fan," recalled McMillian with a smile.
The next Camp 29 is set for Saturday, June 22 at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster. You can find more information, including how to sign up, here.