The VerStandig Family has challenged our communities to raise $100,000 to
increase access to food and food resources.
For every dollar donated by individuals, families,
community groups, and businesses (up to $100,000),
the VerStandig Family will match that dollar,
with a goal to raise a total of $200,000 through
United Way of Washington & Franklin Counties.
Why Address Hunger?
Hunger is a pervasive problem across the United States, and one that carries a significant impact in our local communities. Food insecurity means more than missing a meal. For 1-in-8 families, it often means having to choose between buying groceries or lifesaving medication. The effects can be devastating, from malnourishment to impaired early childhood development and overall poor health. Poor nutrition is a social determinate of health contributing to chronic illness that plagues our communities.
Join Us to Fight Hunger
United Against Hunger will raise funds through United Way of Franklin County and United Way of Washington County to benefit local programs that address the most urgent, essential food security needs. These programs feed our neighbors. They provide home delivered meals to seniors, backpacks stuffed with food to help nourish children, fresh food to encourage healthy eating habits, emergency food distribution to help families put food on the table, and so much more.
We need your support to help fight hunger! Your corporate contribution will be used to disburse funds to food programs in Franklin and Washington counties through each respective United Way to provide long-term, sustainable impact on the fight to end hunger.
All sponsorship contributions will be split equally between each United Way to serve both communities. Neither organization will charge administrative fees, which means 100% of your contribution will benefit local food programs.
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It's a brew-tiful thing when you
can sip coffee to support the United Way!
have bean good to us.
50% of the proceeds from each bag
benefit our organization and allow us to keep doing a latte for the community!
to let us know how many you'd like.
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Our main event is coming up on September 15, but did you know that
we have some Days of Caring activities that you can take part in now?
That’s right! Collection drives are underway with
more right around the corner!
Everyone can take part during the Days of Caring!
For more information on how YOU can get involved in each event,
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LIVE UNITED URGENT NEEDS GRANTS |
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Community Free Clinic recently had a major pipe burst at their facility that resulted in flooding and water damage; the funding from the Urgent Needs grant helped to pay for the cost of these repairs amounting in $1,204.43.
Brook Lane Behavioral Services received $795.57 in funding for a new touchless, filtered water system for students attending Laurel Hall.
We are pleased to partner with two amazing organizations providing critical services to our community! For more information on the Live United Urgent Needs grant, contact Kelli Tencer at 301-739-8200 ext. 104
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HOW TO APPLY - URGENT NEED 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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United Way of Washington County, MD partners with SingleCare (formerly FamilyWize) to provide community members with access to affordable prescription medications, ensuring greater health and financial stability. |
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About the SingleCare prescription savings card:
Always free to use by everyone—just show it to the pharmacist
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No registration or eligibility requirements. Use it right away!
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Save up to 80% on 10,000+ prescription medications
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Accepted at major pharmacy chains nationwide
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Sign up on SingleCare.com for additional member savings
(earn $1 per eligible script!!)
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Works whether you’re insured or underinsured
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Unlimited uses
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Spotlight ~ Success Story
Basic Needs - Crisis Intervention
1. We assisted a single mom of three daughters remain housed. She is in beauty school but got behind when she lost her job due to incompatibility of her school hours. She was facing eviction while she was trying to get back on her feet. She sat here shaking and crying in gratitude.
2. We assisted a single mother of one expecting her 2nd child whose hours were reduced due to pregnancy complications. She was due one week after she came in for assistance. We were able to take away the worry of an eviction and keep her housed.
3. We were referred to Washington County Public Schools by HARC to assist a former Tech High student and his mother who had a Section 8 voucher but found themselves at risk of losing their voucher due to a large outstanding gas bill that they had not been responsible for previously. They were being forced to move from their home through no fault of their own but had to reconcile the past due gas balance. We reached out to Columbia Gas and HHA and were able to fully assist which allowed this family to hold onto their housing voucher and move forward with their lives.
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Spotlight ~ Success Story
Education - Imagine Learning Program
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Janitorial Items looking for a new home
Meritus Health has used janitorial supplies available for donation to local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
- Commercial buffers, various to include walk behind and hand buffers
- Fans
- Carpet Extractor
- Buffer pads
- Eraser burnishing pads
- High mileage wax
- And more.
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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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Our new
BOOKS UNITED Program
is taking off!
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Aren’t familiar?
Books United is a program that promotes literacy, the love of reading, and gives free books to underserved communities.
When we’re not procuring new and
gently-used books, you can find us in local neighborhoods, summer camps, and
organizations handing them out to all interested kiddos.
Where we’ve been recently:
Meal Machine locations
Marty Snook, Maugansville, and Williamsport summer camps
Discovery Station
Girls, Inc.
It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing
…and more!
In June, we distributed 745 books and 60 meditation coloring books - a value of over $2,300. We’re excited to continue sparking the love of reading and learning early!
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“We have five 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 five volunteers provided twenty volunteer hours.”
“We are also excited to share that we dedicated a new children’s play area in our shelter and are so excited to have our new Children's Therapist to utilize this area when she is doing therapy. “
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Valley Mall Hosting School Supply Drive Benefiting
United Way of Washington County, MD
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Items in need:
3 Ring Binders
Dividers
Pencils
Pens
Pencil Bags/Boxes
Highlighters
Erasers
Looseleaf paper
Spiral Notebooks
Composition Books
Index Cards
Post Its
Scissors
Glue
Calculators
Personal Sanitizers
Our first collection site is located at the Valley Mall. More information on this can be located here.
Additional information on other collection sites coming soon! Follow us on our social media accounts for more information.
FB: facebook.com/UnitedWayWashCounty
Instagram: unitedwaywashcomd
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Join Us at the Valley Mall for our Back to School Get Together! |
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Hagerstown Red Cross
Blood Donation Center
1131 Conrad Court
Hagerstown, PA 21740
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Soroptimist International
Live Your Dream Award
The Live Your Dream Award is given to a woman who is the main provider for her family and is enrolled in a program to improve her life through education or training. The Hagerstown Soroptimist Club gives the winner an award of $1,000 and her application goes on to the regional competition where there are more cash awards for the winners. We are currently accepting applications! Please carefully complete the financial section and also take time to explain your story. It is also important to carefully select references. Teachers, counselors, and employers are some suggestions. In recent years two local winners have earned second place at the regional level earning an additional $3000. The deadline for applying is November 15. Application & Guidelines.
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101 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown MD
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Horizon Goodwill Industries is a nonprofit organization, supporting a new program called the Adolescent Clubhouse and Whole Family Center. These programs have been designed to meet the needs of families and at-risk youth in our community by providing a family-oriented environment for them to grow together. Implemented into our programs, we create an environment that is fun, family-friendly, and drug-free.
At the Adolescent Clubhouse, we encourage adolescents ages 11-16 to embrace their education, mental and emotional regulation, and build healthy family and social relationships. We provide sufficient space to host a variety of after-school activities daily, including arts and crafts, workouts, and self-care activities. We also provide free homework help and tutoring to encourage continued success in schools. Our goal in the Adolescent Clubhouse is to provide a free, safe, and supportive environment for youth in our community.
The Whole Family Center is a place where parents with young children can spend the day, somewhere safe and inviting. Families are encouraged to utilize our computer center to take courses including budgeting, child-parent relationships, and self-esteem. Also available to all families with young children are pack-n-plays, changing tables, as well as access to formula for young infants. Snacks will be provided throughout the day and a free meal at five o’clock, Monday through Friday. As a special treat for our families, we host family movie nights every Wednesday.
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Maryland Homeowners Assistance Fund
The state of Maryland recently launched the Homeowner Assistance Fund through the Department of Housing and Community Development. The program provides residential mortgage assistance and other home-ownership related financial assistance to Maryland homeowners who have experienced a hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeowners may receive grants up to $20,000 to avoid imminent displacement due to property tax delinquency, water fee delinquency, or mortgage delinquency, among many other reasons for displacement. Online applications can be completed at marylandhaf.com. Funds are limited so it is encouraged to apply soon.
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Back to School Block Party - August 13
Saturday, August 13, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Zion Reformed UCC Parking Lot
201 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown
Join Zion Reformed UCC in their parking lot for lots of fun, food, and games. All the children and youth that attend will receive a bag full of school supplies. Contact 301-739-7244 / zionrucc@myactv.net for more information.
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Spread the Word!
Police Officers Wanted for HPD
The Hagerstown Police Department is asking for the assistance of churches and organizations in encouraging individuals to apply to become police officers. HPD typically has openings and is anticipating a higher need for more. They are especially hopeful to increase the number of qualified minority and female candidates. HPD offers a variety of opportunities including patrol, K-9, investigations, other specialized units, and supervision and management. Interested candidates can visit the HPD website for more info and an application. Faith/community leaders with suggestions and recommendations for recruitment or opportunities to speak to your congregation can contact
Chief of Police Paul Kifer directly.
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