May 2024

Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. For more than 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being and provide resources and information to support individuals and communities who may need mental health support.

Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit

Check out what SAMHSA is doing and share our materials, and remember that we all play active roles in caring for our mental health.

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-awareness-month/toolkit

Food insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life. In order to better serve their clients, the Maugansville Area Food Bank needed an efficient method of screening for eligibility of clients.

Through funding from the United Against Hunger grant of $624.99, they were able to purchase equipment to vet individuals seeking services at their location.

Children In Need, Inc. received $1,610 from United Way of Washington County’s Live United Urgent Needs grant.

These funds will enable CIN to collaborate with a trusted and reputable security firm to help guarantee the safety of CIN’s volunteers, staff, and community partners who support their programs.

It will also safeguard the well-being of the 2,331 children and 900+ adults who rely on the center for essential items through the

Client Services Program.

Live United

Urgent Needs/United Against Hunger Grant Awards

Each month, the United Way of Washington County is pleased to partner with various organizations that provide critical services to our community.

Our Urgent Needs Grant is a low-barrier grant designed to assist nonprofits experiencing unplanned expenses due to unanticipated program needs, emergencies, or underlying situations while our United Against Hunger Grant addresses needs specific to food insecurity within our community.

Both applications are due on the 27th of the month.

Applications can be found here

 https://www.unitedwaywashcounty.org/community-impact-grants-investments

For additional information contact Kelli Tencer at 301-739-8200 ext.104

United Way of Washington County, Maryland, Inc. has been evaluated by Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator, and earned a 100% Four-Star Rating! This is the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator. 

Charity Navigator’s third-party accreditation validates our organization’s operational excellence.

You can learn more about Charity Navigator and our rating here:

https://charitynavigator.org/ein/520691704. 

The United Way of Washington County recently earned a 2024 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency!

Check out our nonprofit profile to keep up to date with our impact. 

https://

www.guidestar.org/profile/52-0691704

Keep this link handy; we want to ensure you always have the information you need to support our work with trust and confidence.

Check out these links for information on non-profits in Washington County.

Did you know that your United Way actively supports or partners with over 85 organizations and many individual Washington County residents annually?

All donations made here...stay here.

Our donors, partners and volunteers

make it possible for us to have a

major impact on our community!

If you would like to help the United Way

make a difference in Washington County please click the DONATE button today!

Thank you so very much for your continued support!

CONGRATULATIONS to our Director of Engagement, Kate Younkins, for her induction into the Hagerstown Rotary Club.

Rotary clubs, similar to United Ways, engage and activate motivated leaders and problem-solvers around the world who unite to take action and create lasting change.

United Way was present, cheering on finalist, Angie Stouffer. Angie is a longtime Director on our Board, and has served for many years as our Youth United Chairman, and a member of the GIVE Committee.

Angie is also a board member of the Education Foundation of WCPS where she serves as the Financial Literacy Chairman. She is a SALT Advisor/AVID Coordinator, and a Smithburg CARES advisor.



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/23tpwKMNcTsfjCZQ/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Spotlight~ Success Story

Financial Stability - Shelter Collaboration

St. John's Family Shelter

Our success story this quarter was a single mom with two young teenagers. When they came to the shelter, they were all living in their car. The middle school-aged child had just had surgery and was recuperating in the car. The mother was working full-time and when the children were not in school, they would stay in the car outside her workplace. They were very grateful for the chance to have a place where the child could recover and not be cramped in the vehicle.

The mother continued to work full time and as much overtime as possible. The apartment was kept immaculate and there was never a problem from the family at all. The mother was able to afford an apartment on what she makes but did need some assistance with the security deposit. CAC had some funds available and was able to help with that. The family was so very happy to move into a place of their own after only 760 days in the shelter.

We wish them the best and were so happy we could help them when they needed it.

~ Submitted by Carla Charles, St. John's Family Shelter, Board President

Spotlight~ Success Story

Health Collaboratives -

Community-Based Mentoring

Big Brothers Big Sisters

While it's becoming ubiquitous to observe the rippling and lingering effects of the pandemic, we have continued to see some of the kids in our program struggle significantly in school in the areas of academic performance, behavior, and attendance. Little Brother Kevin, who had been a good student before the pandemic, has had a challenging school year. His academic performance has been well below his ability and his behavior at home and school has been unruly. While he has a strong and engaged mother, she began to lose faith in her ability to appropriately meet his needs and steer him back on the right track.

Thankfully, Little Brother Kevin has been matched with his Big Brother Theo for four years. so Kevin's mother felt comfortable informing Theo of what was happening and asked for support. While Kevin & Theo have historically met in the community, Theo planned a special visit with Kevin at school to discuss his challenges there.

The goal was to impress upon Kevin, 1) how concerned we all are about him and, 2) we are united in helping him get back on track. Following this meeting, there have been some improvements in Kevin's behavior at school and we're hopeful he'll fully regain his focus and work to his potential.

This story exemplifies the impact of the partnerships our agency has with our families and volunteers on behalf of the kids we serve.

~ Submitted by Tom Kline, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

United Way of Washington County MD is currently seeking additional members of the community to serve on both the Revenue and GIVE (Give. Invest. Volunteer. Educate) Committees. We ask interested parties to commit to at least once-a-month hybrid committee meetings in return for having a voice in how UWWC can maximize our reach within our community. 

For more information, please reach out to Heather Guessford at heather@uwwcmd.org or 301-739-8200 ext.102.

Promoting Literacy Across Washington County!

Our Books United program, founded in May of 2022, has 26 active

partner locations and has collected and redistributed

over 35,000 books in less than two years!

In addition to book distributions, we also host multiple reading clubs,

including one at Coffman Nursing Home and

Lasting Change Recovery Solutions for Women.

Over 1,000 books were delivered in April to: the Detention Center,

Sonshine Daycare, and Girls Inc, just to name a few!

Ladies for Lasting Literacy read books to Hagerstown Day nursery.

Each young reader received a free book, coloring book, and crayons to take home.

YMCA of Hagerstown’s Healthy Kids Day drew a great crowd on a rainy Saturday!

Our Books United Program distributed 200 FREE books to all the kids. Bubbles were a big hit as well. Giveaways, games, snacks, and more... a fun day!

A special thanks to our wonderful Books United volunteers,

Sharon Giles, Beth Johnston, and Jo Ellen Allenberg

for helping to sort and deliver books! 

As Always...

Special Thanks to Julie Rohm and the Valley Mall for loaning us storage space for our "thousands of books"!

Celebrating National Volunteer Week!

During the week of April 22^nd, teams from JLG Industries helped clean, assemble shelving, and do some maintenance on a space to be used to store items for hygiene closets.

Thank you to our dedicated, helpful volunteers who help the community with projects throughout the year.

Our Stacey Abeles, alongside JLG Industries volunteers, picked up a HUGE order from Walmart for our ten hygiene closets.

Our hygiene program gives children in several area schools access to at least five essential items: shampoo, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.

United Way has expanded to include a new warehouse at our location at 83 W. Washington Street.

A special thanks to Ben Bruno and the JLG team for making this space clean and organized!

They assembled shelves, painted, cleaned, picked up the hygiene items from our retailer, delivered them to Smithsburg High School (our newest hygiene closet), and got our warehouse storage area ready to go!

A special thanks to our partners Children In Need for supplying multiple items to the hygiene closet and Walmart for their help with purchasing the supplies.



With help from our donors and mission partners, we can also provide specialty items to go beyond just the necessities like: lice kits, pull-ups, hair ties, brushes and combs, loofahs, and ChapStick. 

Deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and brushes and feminine pads are all items we need every day. But for some low-income families personal hygiene poses a problem. For many families it can be difficult to put food on the table so personal hygiene items and other necessities are out of reach. Every day people go without personal care Items because they simply can't afford them.

We are serving 1,176 people and GROWING by the day. Our closets are on-campus and discreetly benefit low-income students and their families who lack transportation and/or those wishing to keep their demonstrated needs private. Our most requested hygiene items include shampoo, deodorant, and body wash. We have experienced growing requests for laundry pods and feminine pads and liners.

Requests for specialty items include lice kits and body wipes for those living in our rural communities who lack sufficient running water...yes, there are many!

If you wish to learn more about either program or become a partner location please contact Stacey Abeles - stacey@uwwcmd.org or Kathy Harple - kathy@uwwcmd.org.

United Way now has 10 active hygiene closets across Washington County! Newly added closets will be active at Smithsburg High School, Zion Church, and Rockland Woods.

• Hagerstown Community College
• Cascade Elementary School
• Clear Spring Elementary School
• Hickory Elementary School
• Western Heights Middle School
• Parkside Community Center
• Pleasant Valley Elementary School
• Smithsburg High School
• Rockland Woods Elementary
• Zion Reformed United Church of Christ

Community Resources Alert!

We're blessed to live in a community where help is

always just a phone call away. You are never alone!

Please share this with all your friends.

2-1-1 Maryland - Supported by our local United Way, this is the state's most comprehensive health and human services resource database. With about over 7,500 resources, individuals with essential needs can get connected to local help 24/7/365.

You can dial 2-1-1 on your phone to speak with someone or you can visit https://211md.org/.

Hagerstown Area Religious Council has also compiled the following resources:

Food & Clothing Resources - https://harccoalition.org/resources/food-and-clothing/

Housing/Shelter - https://harccoalition.org/resources/housing-shelter/

Washington County Mental Health Authority has a listing of mental health providers at https://wcmha.org/provider-directory/.

United Way of Washington County, Maryland

Volunteers Needed

The Hagerstown Housing Authority needs volunteer groups to help provide lunches to low-income seniors and disabled residents of Potomac Towers in Hagerstown. 

The Potomac Towers Lunch Program operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Volunteer groups assist by providing either grab-and-go bagged lunches, serving a hot meal onsite, or providing donations of items for the lunches. The volunteers typically provide meals or drop them off at the Towers around 11:30 AM. 

The Lunch Program currently has several days each month without volunteer groups. Open days of the month are the 1st Tuesday, 2nd Thursday, 3rd Thursday, and the 4th Thursday. If interested in assisting, please contact Deena Holder via email at dholder@hagerstownha.com or 301-733-6911 x163. 

Use JustServe for your volunteer needs

and opportunities!

Looking for volunteers to serve in your ministry? Or are you looking for volunteer opportunities for yourself and/or your group? JustServe is a website where volunteer needs meet volunteers. All nonprofits, houses of worship and faith-based organizations are welcome to use this service to post your volunteer needs - just contact Ashlee Harris to get started at jon2ash@gmail.com or text 801-860-1301. Those searching for volunteer opportunities can simply search the database by city, state or zip code or even look for ways to volunteer by remote.

Washington County Parks and Recreation is offering various programs and events throughout spring and summer including:

• Summer Camps: Embark on unforgettable adventures and create lasting memories at our action-packed summer camps!
• Swimming Lessons: Dive into the refreshing waters and learn essential swimming skills with our expert instructors.
• Sports Clinics: Sharpen your athletic abilities and unleash your competitive spirit with our dynamic sports clinics.
• Adult Fitness: Achieve your fitness goals and discover new ways to stay active and healthy with our invigorating adult fitness programs.
• Special Events: Experience the magic of community and celebrate special occasions with our exciting lineup of special events!

And that's just the beginning! With a diverse range of programs and activities, Washington County Parks and Recreation is your ultimate destination for spring and summer fun. Don't miss out on the adventure – join us for an unforgettable season of excitement and discovery.

To register for classes and events, please visit www.washcorecfit.com.

For additional questions or information, please contact Washington County Parks & Recreation at recsupport@washco-md.net

Free Breakfasts

2^nd Saturday of each month

9:00 - 10:30 AM

Hagerstown Church of the Brethren

Corner of E. Washington St. and South Mulberry St.

Hagerstown, MD 21740

See flyer for dates of our upcoming events. See our most recent Food, Clothing & Personal Care Resources List

Washington County Family Center

221 McRand Court, Suite 300, Hagerstown, MD 21740

The Family Center provides GED and ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for expectant parents and parents with children ages

0-3. Childcare, meals, parenting education, and case management services are provided. Transportation is available on a case-by-case basis. To register or learn more information, please contact Christina McCauley at 301-790-4006 or christinamccauley2@maryland.gov

Circles Washington County

Circles Washington County, MD, is accepting and adding Circles Leaders (participants) to our program and will begin training a new cohort on May 2. We are also actively recruiting more Allies and other volunteers. (Allies work with Circles Leaders on their goals at least twice a month.)  

Coordinators Elizabeth Howe and Marci Corea are holding information sessions and are also happy to accept invitations to meet you in person or speak at your church or organization to share how it’s going and discuss ideas for alleviating poverty in our community. Contact us for more information at circleswcmd@wccac.org or 301-797-4161, ext. 142.  

UPDATED Food, Clothing & Personal Care Resources list

The Food, Clothing & Personal Care Resources list was just updated significantly. Please replace copies you may already have and share it with anyone in need. Updated Resource List. The most recent list can also always be found on the HARC website. If you know of any additional changes, please contact Kathy at director@harccoalition.org or 301-842-4272.

The Western Maryland Consortium is a regional workforce development agency under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act with offices in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties. We address the needs of job seekers and businesses by establishing a workforce system that helps them access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market. The Western Maryland Consortium provides services to underemployed and unemployed adults, youth, and dislocated workers who are residents of Western Maryland.

The path that leads you to your full-time destination will vary as will the services and training available to you. We pride ourselves on providing individualized and tailored plans that meet the needs of our clients and assisting them in achieving their workforce goals.

Funds, Furnishings, and Volunteers Needed for Refugee Families

Recently, there has been an influx of refugee families in Washington County. Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) needs funds, furnishings, and volunteers to help stabilize them while we work with them toward self-sufficiency. In the last two weeks, the RWN settled two new families into housing, with a third currently waiting for housing and help. Read more and see our list of needs. Donate funds. Contact us to volunteer.

ENVY Youth Basketball League Sponsorships Needed

ENVY, a youth violence prevention program here within the City of Hagerstown that works to facilitate collaboration of resources and efforts of various community partners who provide services to or engage with youth in the community, has started a very unique youth basketball league and is looking for faith community assistance. You may recall Chief Kifer and Danielle Staley speaking about this program at the recent HARC meeting. ENVY stands for Ending Needless Violence with our Youth, and this basketball league is really ENVY’s way to initially engage at risk youth. Read more

Walking 2 Wellness - Wednesdays

Every Wednesday, 12:00 pm

The Athletic, Recreation and Community Center (ARCC)

Hagerstown Community College

11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown

Trying to fulfill your New Year's Resolution in getting healthier? Let's get healthy together! Be part of Prime Time For Women's "Walking 2 Wellness" community … meet new people, connect with longtime friends, and develop a regular exercise regime that is good for you. Even better, it’s fun! Prime Time For Women Website / Facebook.

WCFL Hosts Large Chromebook Distribution Events for Eligible Families

Hagerstown, MD – Washington County Free Library believes that access to technology is one key to achieving economic freedom and accessing important educational activities. In an effort to close the digital divide and increase digital literacy in Washington County, through a grant provided by Washington County government via the Maryland State Department of Housing and Community Development, WCFL is the primary distributor of no-cost Chromebooks for Washington County households. 

As with appointment distribution dates, only Washington County residents 18 years or older may participate. One device is allowed per household. To pick up your Chromebook at the event, you must provide:



• Valid and not-expired Photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, work or government ID, passport, etc.)
• Proof of Washington County residence
• Proof of one of the following qualifications listed below:
• Households with an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• $27,180 for a household of 1
• $36,620 for a household of 2
• $46,060 for a household of 3
• $55,500 for a household of 4
• Or $9,440 more for each additional household member
• Households enrolled in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
• Households that participate in government assistance programs such as:
• Child receives free or reduced-price school lunch
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Medicaid
• Pell Grant (current award year)
• SNAP, formerly Food Stamps
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• WIC

Examples of proof include (but are not limited to) proof of benefit like a SNAP or Medicaid card, an internet bill showing the ACP discount, or the first page of your 2022 or 2023 tax return. The person listed on the provided proof must be the person in attendance at the event to receive the device.

Only a few appointments remain. They are listed at 

washcolibrary.org/chromebook. 

For more information about Chromebook distribution, visit washcolibrary.org, or contact the Fletcher Library Information Services Department at 301-241-9968 or 301-244-8994.

Follow this link for location:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EXY5z4qxjuQy3LZQ9

Volunteers Wanted for the HARC Hike - June 8

Saturday, June 8

Shepherd's Spring Outdoor Retreat Center

The HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope is approaching fast and we are in need of some volunteers. Most notably, we need a volunteer driver to drive a borrowed van/bus from Girls, Inc. and we need a photographer to take pictures of everyone having fun at this event. If you can help, please contact Kathy at 301-842-4272 or director@harccoalition.org.  Want to join in the fun of the hike?  Learn more here. And please spread the word via the Flyer and Bulletin inserts.

Live-in House Mom/Manager Position

Looking for a mature Christian single woman to live in Hannah's Homestead, a residential Maternity/Recovery Home for women with Children, to oversee the day-to-day runnings of the program. They offer a private apartment including all utilities in exchange for 10 hours a week in managing the program. Live in house manager can work another part time job. Must have own vehicle and a clean background check. Contact Kathy Horst at 301-491-6956 or e-mail Khorst@cmhag.org

Vote 411 Voter's Guide

Election day is fast approaching! Check your voter registration, find your polling place, learn about candidates, and more through an unbiased source: Vote 411 - https://www.vote411.org/maryland. Each election, the League of Women Voters sends surveys to all candidates and publishes the Vote 411 voter's guide directly from the candidates' responses.

Learn more about the local League of Women Voters here.

Senior couple raising grandson in need of beds, furniture ...

Meritus Medical Center has a patient in urgent need of beds and other furniture. A senior couple and their 12 year old grandson moved from a hotel to an apartment, but they have no furniture. The male and grandson are sleeping on blankets but the female is staying with her daughter until they can get furniture. She has some chronic illnesses which would make it hard to sleep on the floor and there is nowhere to sit. Most needed: beds for the senior couple and their grandson (the grandmother has requested a bed for him from SHP), a dining table and chairs, sofa and other living room furniture. Household supplies are likely also needed. If you can help, please contact Andrea, Meritus Care Manager, andrea.deane@meritushealth.com or 240-313-9860.

Calendar of summer VBS & children's activities - your activity wanted!

HARC is once again working with area congregations and children's organizations to compile a summer (June-August) calendar of free and low-cost VBS, camps, and other activities for children and families. We want to include your program(s)! Please send information to Charlotte at harcnewsflash@gmail.com as soon as possible (especially for June). Please include date(s), times, location, a brief description, ages served, and how to sign up. See calendar example here.

HARC Meeting: Equity, Diversity, Recruitment and Talent Development in our Schools - May 14 (RSVP May 10)

Tuesday, May 14, 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Zion Baptist Church

61 Bethel Street, Hagerstown

Google map satellite view

HARC’s Racial Justice Team has planned our May HARC Meeting, with a few updates on the Team’s work and a special guest speaker from Washington County Public Schools (WCPS). Allison Smith, Supervisor of Equity and Excellence will share the work WCPS is doing to increase diversity and equity in our schools and to recruit and develop staff. Join us for lunch, fellowship, and program. RSVP requested by Friday, May 10 at noon so we can get a count for lunch. Parking is available in the large lot behind the church (entrance from Jonathan Street) or the small lot across the street from the front of the church (entrance from Bethel St.). Handicap parking is in the small lot on Bethel Street, so please leave spaces available for those who need them.

Harm Reduction and Peer Recovery Conference - May 17 (Registration Deadline - May 10)

Friday, May 17, 8:15 am - 4:00 pm

Washington County Public Safety Training Center

18350 Public Safety Pl., Hagerstown

Registration deadline for the Harm Reduction and Peer Recovery Conference is on Friday, May 10, 2024. This year's event, themed "Reduce, Rebuild, Recover," promises insightful discussions and invaluable networking opportunities. The keynote speakers for this year: Vinay Krishnan from the Center for Popular Democracy, presenting on "Storytelling and Power Building: Using our Narratives to Enact Progressive Policy."; Monica White, MS, CAC-AD, RPS, Chief Operating Officer at MISHA House, LLC, sharing insights on "The Power of Recovery." The conference will feature multiple breakout sessions designed to foster learning and engagement throughout the day. Conference Flyer / Agenda / Registration Link

St. John's Yard Sale - May 11

Saturday, May 11, 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

Saint John's Episcopal Church

101 S. Prospect Street, Hagerstown

RAIN OR SHINE. Most items will be indoors of the fellowship hall and a few outside by the elevator door. There will be a bake sale and food as well. Parking Lot, Antietam Street and Walnut Lane. Flyer Sign.

Annual Youth Spaghetti Dinner - May 11

Saturday, May 11, 4:00 - 7:30 pm

First Christian Church

1345 Potomac Avenue, Hagerstown

Annual Youth Spaghetti Dinner. TREAT MOM TO DINNER! Adult Tickets (11 & Older) - $15; Children Tickets (2 to 10) - $10; Birth to 1 year old - Free; Desserts available by donation. Proceeds support youth mission trip to Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina June 2024. Call the church office for more information, or tickets 301-733-0144. Flyer.

HARC No-Book Book Club - May 19 (RSVP - May 17)

Sunday, May 19, 2:00 pm

Unity of Hagerstown (St. Mark's Episcopal)

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD

The Interfaith team of the Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) hosts a book club with NO REQUIRED READING! We gather for light refreshments and share a book that has inspired us individually. Prose or poetry, fiction or nonfiction, faith-based or secular, a book that has moved us to think, learn, feel, relax, or do. Come with or without the actual book (but with title and author), and with finger food to share. Inspire others to read your book and come away with a new list of books you might want to read! Please RSVP by May 17 to communicator07@yahoo.com or call 301-842-4272.

Womb Wisdom Workshop - May 18

Saturday, May 18, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Unity of Hagerstown meeting in the Fellowship Center at St. Mark's Episcopal Church

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD

Join Unity in sacred space as they honor and tap into our creative power center – the womb. In this women-only workshop facilitated by SABRINA MADSEN, they will be guided to the womb's wisdom, connect in community, share, heal, and embody more of their own authentic selves. Different practices will be woven into their time together such as guided meditation, energy self-healing, discussion, journal writing, and more. $40. When women gather, magic happens! For more information unityhagerstown@gmail.com, 240-409-5940, www.unityhagerstown.org

Community Health Summit & Invitation - May 18

Saturday, May 18, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Zion Baptist Church of Hagerstown 61 West Bethel Street Parking Lot, Hagerstown

Zion Baptist Church of Hagerstown is sponsoring its 2nd Annual Community Health Summit. The theme is "Hope in Healing ... Experiencing the Journey, Dealing with the Struggles of Addiction & Mental Health." They are also inviting other health agencies, city and state officials, recovery houses, rehab centers, churches, and people with personal experiences. Job training and recruiting will also be offered by local businesses. For more information, please call Zion Baptist Church at (301) 739-5616 and leave a message for Linda Brooks or send an email to jehovahonhigh@aol.com if you are interested in participating. (Invitation Letter)

Stories in the Round - Dovie Thomason - May 20

Monday, May 20, 7:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown

Dovie Thomason is a much admired and internationally respected teller of traditional stories handed down from her grandmother and drawing from her Indigenous/Native and Scot Traveller descent, as well as personal and historical narratives that offer an often provocative curiosity and point of view. Ms. Thomason has shared her wisdom tales for decades with community organizations, festivals, schools, libraries, Head Start, University of Manitoba Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture, American Folklore Society, The Shakespeare Globe Theater, TED Talks, NASA, and many others - and now our own Stories In The Round for the third time. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Children 12 & older welcome when accompanied by a parent or group leader. Contact: Fanny Crawford, 301-730-1638 or fanitsky@hotmail.com.

May 22, 2024 at 4:30 – 9:00

Antietam Brewery

Join support those affected by Cancer in our Community at Antietam Brewery!



Volunteers will be on-site to collect gift cards for caregivers and share how you can get involved locally with the American Cancer Society. 10% of Pints, Flights & Food will be donated to the American Cancer Society, the evening will also include Raffles and door prizes!

Last year, this event raised over $1,000 for the American Cancer Society and $530 in gift cards were received for area caregivers. Help us surpass our fundraising goal this year $1,600 in donations and $700 in gift card donations.

More about Caregiver Gift Cards: Donations of Gift Cards, valued at $20 or more for Caregivers. Gift cards for Gas, Groceries, or Restaurants are most appreciated! These gift cards are distributed at events right here in Washington County to make a difference in households battling cancer.



Follow along for more information about the event and raffle previews!

Questions about the event: Please contact Audrey Vargason at ajvargason@outlook.com

World No Tobacco Day Event - May 31

Friday, May 31, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Washington County Health Department

925 N. Burhans Blvd. Hagerstown

You're invited to: "Empowerment in Every Breath: Celebrating Quitters, Inspiring Seekers," in honor of World No Tobacco Day. Engaging talks, interactive workshops, and insightful discussions on the importance of tobacco cessation and the empowerment it brings with every breath. Whether you're a former smoker, a current tobacco user contemplating quitting, or someone passionate about promoting healthier lifestyles, this event is tailored for you. Attendee RSVP / Vendor Sign-up. Should you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to reach out via email to Paula Ernst at Paula.Ernst@maryland.gov or by phone at 240-313-3310. Flyer.

Save the Date! Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program Visit - June 6

Thursday, June 6, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

American Job Center

16 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

The Easter Seals Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) Representative will be at the American Job Center on June 6, from 10 am through 1 pm. He will have lots of information for any Veteran in need. Flyer.

Save the Date! Japanese Noodle Slide - June 9

Sunday, June 9, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Unity of Hagerstown

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD

Venerable Temm Bikle, Buddhist Monk, is offering a Japanese Noodle Slide! Join in this unique and fun experience, where participants catch noodles with chopsticks as they slide down a chute. Add some broth and toppings and enjoy noodle soup! Noodles, rice balls and other Japanese food will be served. Vegetarian friendly. Cost to register is $10. Maximum 40 people. This event is a fundraiser to support Temm as he brings more peace into this world. Additional donations before and during the event are gratefully accepted. Event is sponsored by HARC’s Interfaith Team and hosted by Unity of Hagerstown. To register, use the online form link, or send a check to HARC, P.O. Box 1158, Hagerstown, MD 21741-1158. Flyer.