Join us on June 2nd, 2022 |
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5th Annual Million Dollar Golf Shot
United Way invites you to swing for a chance at ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!
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We’re gearing up for our 5th Annual Million Dollar Golf Shot. It’s a chance for visitors to win up to a million dollars by simply taking a swing. This is a fundraising event scheduled to take place at Fountain Head Country Club on Thursday, June 2nd beginning at 4pm. All are encouraged to attend and enjoy games of chance, dinner, and music. One hundred percent of the proceeds are guaranteed to stay here in our community, and support the health, education, financial stability, and basic needs of Washington County residents. Register to attend or sponsor by visiting our Event Page.
Prospective visitors may have participated in golf tournaments before but might not be familiar with how a golf shot works. To play, competitors swing during a qualifying round and must get as close to the identified hole as possible. The 16 closest contestants move onto the “Million Dollar Shot” round. Finalists each get one attempt at a hole in one. Should a contestant make this shot successfully, the million-dollar prize would be paid as a 40-year annuity.
Despite many rain delays, last year’s event successfully raised over $25,000 towards Community Impact Grants that supported such programs like Meals on Wheels, Micah’s Backpack, Common Cents Community Building Initiative, The Financial Education Partnership of Washington County, Medical Adult Day Services, and many others.
For more information on how to sponsor or become involved with the Million Dollar Golf Shot or for information relating to the programs and collaborations funded by United Way of Washington County, please visit www.unitedwaywashcounty.org or contact by emailing jhauer@uwwcmd.org or by calling 301.739.8200 x 103.
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Join us on May 10th for Washington County Gives. This 24-hour event gives local nonprofits the opportunity to raise unrestricted dollars and receive pro-rated matching funds and prize money. This year, United Way of Washington County aims to use all Washington County Gives donations towards the Day of Caring event that serves vulnerable local seniors, veterans, disabled, and low-income residents. Making your donation during our POWER HOUR (10-11 am) helps us qualify for extra prizes that can make your impact reach even farther.
Suggested Levels:
$10 – Pack of work gloves
$25 – Pack of yard waste bags
$50 – Set of cleaning supplies
$100 – 5 gallons of paint
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Another month, another round of impact through our
Live United Urgent Needs Grant!
March recipients ~ Holly Place and Washington County Housing Solutions, Inc.
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Holly Place is an assisted living facility that provides 24-hour care to seniors who would otherwise be unable to afford alternative care or private homes. Their current refrigerator was donated many years ago and had limited useable space due to missing and broken shelving. Through this grant, a more functional replacement will be able to store additional healthy meals and snacks for their residents. 15 low-income residents currently reside at this facility and will directly benefit from this upgrade.
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Washington County Housing Solutions, Inc. had recently gone "paperless" in response to COVID and interim recertification for housing residents (including seniors) are now completed online. Many residents in this income and age bracket do not have access to a personal computer to complete their required documents, and using a public computer poses security risks. With help from this grant, 2 iPad Pros and accompanying floor mounts will be used to help the roughly 608 individuals who need to complete these forms each year.
Congratulations to these great organizations! We could not be prouder of the work they do, and we are so happy to help.
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LIVE UNITED URGENT NEEDS GRANTS
Applications are available each month for nonprofits who experience unplanned expenses due to unanticipated program needs, emergencies, or underlying situations.
Applications are always due on the 27th of each month. For more information and to apply, visit:
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Spotlight ~ Success Story
Education ~ Super Readers
The Education Foundation of WCPS is planning a meeting with all the lead teachers at 28 South Restaurant on May 13th. We would like to grow Super Readers in two additional schools next year.
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Spotlight ~ Success Story
The Shelter Program ~ CASA
A woman entered our program escaping a violent and scary situation with her abuser. A local church helped her access our services and has remained in contact with her as a support system. While in shelter she has been able to find full-time employment and has filed an application for our transitional housing program.
We were able to offer a safe place for a mother and her infant daughter after leaving an abusive situation. We supported them with counseling and legal services. She qualified and was able to move into one of our transitional apartments. She continues to work with our case manager and is working on returning to work after the birth of her daughter.
We worked with a woman and her two children who escaped an abusive situation and were able to receive services with us and work towards relocating out of the area with her family. They remain supportive and she is flourishing in her new environment with her family. Her children are enrolled in school and are doing well.
Over the past quarter (October-December) we have been able to help 24 women and 17 children who have escaped domestic violence and have found safety at our shelter here in Washington County. We worked with these women and children to assist them in many different areas, as each individual or family identified goals and a safety plan with their case manager.
COVID numbers have declined, and we have been able to accept more individuals into shelter as the need continues to remain high. We have begun to discuss social distancing, masking, etc. and are lifting some restrictions at the end of this quarter. We hope to be at full capacity in the final quarter of this project.
We are using hotels when needed to help with Covid exposures and social distancing so that we continue to be able to serve all those who need a safe place to stay while keeping safety for everyone at the forefront of our minds. Our case managers are meeting with our clients no matter their location and working to assist them in any way possible.
We have 5 volunteers who come weekly/monthly (when able due to COVID 19 restrictions) to help us with projects and working with our residents. We also have another volunteer who comes monthly to complete small projects as we need. This quarter these 6 volunteers provided 24 volunteer hours.
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Spotlight ~ Success Story
Basic Needs ~ St. John’s Shelter
Apartment 16-1 Mother has MS and one child. When we first met the resident, she was living in her car and was parked in front of the shelter when our Caretaker came home from work. Dean was able to provide her with food from our pantry and sent her next door to Trinity Lutheran Church for additional items from their Food Pantry. We put her in one of our first-floor apartments to lower the number of steps that she had to maneuver. She ended up in the hospital with blood clots during her stay. She had a Section 8 housing voucher and after several attempts she finally was able to get into an apartment of her own. We were happy to be able to provide her with a safe, warm place to stay during the cold winter month.
During the third quarter of this grant, we had 7 families residing at the shelter. Some families stay a short time, and one family stayed longer than normal due to the challenges with securing their own place. We are able to be flexible for families who may need a longer stay to obtain permanent housing. As you can see with the examples below, we see a combination of successes and difficulties.
• 1 Family stayed 53 days and consisted of 1 adult and 1 child, they moved into their own apartment
• 1 Family stayed 4 days and consisted of 2 adults and 2 children, they left with no notice of where
they were going
• 1 Family stayed 81 days and consisted of 1 adult and 1 child, they moved into their own apartment
when they left the shelter
• 1 Family stayed 75 days and consisted of 1 adult and 1 child, they moved into a motel when they left
• 1 family has been with us for 101 days so far and consists of 1 adult and 2 children
• 1 Family has been with us for 76 days so far and consists of 1 adult and L child
• 1 Family has been with us for 8 days so far and consists of 1 adult and 2 children
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Updated Food & Clothing Resources List |
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Significant updates have been made to the Food & Clothing Resources List, which also includes a growing list of opportunities for personal items and household supplies. Please replace your current list with this one and share it with anyone in the community who needs this kind of assistance. Resource Link. If you know of any changes to the list, please contact Kathy at director@harccoalition.org
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Free boxes!
A local company has 5,000 white boxes to donate, size 24x16x8. The boxes are brand new in skids of 250 each. They were ordered in error and the company wants to donate them to a worthy cause (or multiple). If interested in one or more skids (or all of the boxes), contact Mikek@psimd.com.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters – With the renewed inspiration and energy ushered in by the New Year, there is almost no better time to consider making the commitment to share your time and talents with others. The special friendships formed between Bigs and Littles positively change the trajectory of the lives of all involved. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County has a waiting list of kids and needs your help! There are various volunteer opportunities that will fit almost anyone’s availability. For more information, please contact their enrollment & matching coordinator, Alicia Taluskie, at 301.375.0939 or a.taluskie@bbbswcmd.org. Let the New Beginnings of this time of year be your call to Be the Change. Visit volunteer need here: https://volunteer.unitedwayfcwc.org/need/detail/?need_id=654044
Girls Inc. – Qualified and willing volunteers are always welcome to join and assist with projects. The girls love meeting new people and will act as a positive role model to them. To express interest, visit: https://www.girlsinc-md.org/volunteer
Boys and Girls Club – Volunteer in many different ways like on-site engagement, advocacy, and more. Fill out an application here: https://www.bgcwc.org/volunteer
BEACON House – Volunteer opportunities exist in various categories like curriculum and professional development, outreach and community events, teaching workshops, and more! To express interest: https://bit.ly/VolBEACON
Discovery Station – Volunteers help in every area of the museum in positions like exhibit docents, admission's office clerks, gift shop salespersons, creative development members, program leaders, and more. Visit volunteer need here: https://bit.ly/VolDiscovery
Horizon Goodwill Industries – Volunteers help in many diverse ways ad can include mission support, community outreach, job connection services, administration, court ordered community service, to name a few. To learn more, visit: https://horizongoodwill.org/volunteer-opportunities/
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Literacy Council of Washington County – You don’t need experience to be a tutor with LCWC. Training is provided and FREE. You do need to be fluent in English, have enthusiasm, and patience. To learn more, visit: http://www.literacyofwcmd.org/become-a-tutor/
English & More, Inc. - Stay safe while serving your community from the comfort of your home. English tutors for ESL populations are needed. Shadowing opportunities are available for both new and seasoned volunteers. To express interest or learn more, email: virginia.wilson1277@gmail.com.
Washington County Commission on Aging - Volunteers welcome as Meals on Wheels delivery drivers. All those interested must be fully vaccinated. More information here: https://www.wccoaging.org/volunteer
It’s a Blessing to Be a Blessing – Evening outreach opportunities now available on MWF 5-7 p.m. This is perfect for SSL hours! For more information, please call 240-452-9786.
Easterseals - Virtual volunteer opportunities are available for anyone with a special talent to share virtually on Zoom. It could be singing, sharing a craft (we can get the supplies), magician, dancing, reading a story etc. If anyone is interested, they can contact Debbie Lauricella, Assistance Center Director, to coordinate.
Deborah Lauricella, Assistant Director
Easterseals Adult Day Services, 701 East First Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
P 301.745.3828
Habitat for Humanity - Join a team of invaluable volunteers at the ReStore! Multiple positions to fit any skill/interest level. Volunteer Benefits: Flexible schedule / 20% store discount / Rewarding work / Plus, for a limited time receive $20 a month in ReStore cash for up to 6 months. Flyer.
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Gatekeepers is a local organization that focuses on re-entry. Their mission is to motivate, empower, and encourage both current and ex-offenders through mentoring services by challenging them to make positive decisions and ultimately help facilitate the process of a successful transition back to their communities. These individuals often do not have positive role models in their life to aid them in their efforts. The Gatekeepers team is dedicated to helping people overcome obstacles standing in their way to achieving success and reaching their life goals.
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Founder and leader of Gatekeepers Bill Gaertner created the “Business of Living” program, which is designed to help participants identify and overcome the challenges they may face by focusing on four aspects of living their life – occupational, educational, personal, and spiritual. Bill and his team work with men and women currently incarcerated to get them started on their re-entry planning. They will then meet them at the gate on their day of release (if needed) and get them immediately started on implementing their re-entry plan. The Business of Living Program has been presented to hundreds of men and women at local detention centers, state prisons, and federal penitentiaries.
The Resource Club at Gatekeepers meets Saturdays at Trinity Lutheran Church to talk about their life goals. This group is a great way for participants to connect with other returning citizens and community members. By building a strong, supportive network comprised of positive relationships, individuals returning to the community from a custodial environment have a stronger chance of being successful.
This past weekend, Jennifer shared how the Business of Living has impacted her own life and introduced some of the members of her "posse" who have helped her be successful. Through reaching out to connect and utilize the resources available to her, Jennifer went from just surviving to thriving!
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Save The Date!
Youth Mental Health First Aid - FREE - May 13
Friday, May 13, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Brook Lane Main Campus Community Room
13121 Brook Lane, Hagerstown
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID is an 8-hour program designed to teach adults how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions related challenge or crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. More info.
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Unity of Hagerstown
Day Retreat - May 14
May 14, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
9760 Beaver Creek Church Road
Hagerstown, MD
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HARC - Equity in Education Scholarship |
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HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope |
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Join the 10th Annual
HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope!
Main hike: Saturday, June 4 at Shepherd's Spring & the C&O Canal Towpath
20-mile Challenge Hike: Saturday, June 11 on the Appalachian Trail
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HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope is a non-competitive fundraising event open to all ages. This fully supported hike features 4K , 10 K, and half marathon hikes, to include everyone from casual to serious hikers and runners. All hikes will be along the C&O Canal in Maryland and will end at the beautiful Shepherd’s Spring Retreat Center. Participants can look forward to scenic water views, water & Gatorade refills and snacks along the way and a delicious lunch sponsored by MS Johnston & the God's Grace Fund. There’s also a longer Challenge Hike on June 11, and a virtual option for hikers to participate at their convenience. Early-bird discount and guaranteed t-shirt if you register by May 13. Don’t wait!
The Hike for Hunger & Hope is HARC’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds will benefit all HARC programs with a significant portion going directly to Micah’s Backpack. Visit www.harccoalition.org/hike for all the details and to register!
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Who's Hungry?
Join The United Way of Washington County on June 9!
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United Way of Washington County MD
Annual Campaign Celebration and Awards
Fountain Head County Club
June 22nd, 2022
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