October 2022

A heartfelt THANK YOU just doesn't seem like it's enough. Nearly $120,000 was reinvested back into the community through volunteer service in ONE.SINGLE.DAY.

We love this community so much and are

blessed beyond measure by our supporters.

Very special thanks to Staples for

donating 450 school supply starter kits and to

Valley Mall & M&T Bank for conducting their own

individual school supplies collection programs.

St. John’s Family Shelter recently discovered that the steps on the emergency fire escape in the back of the building had rotted and were deemed unsafe for use. While not utilized often, these stairs are required as an alternate route of evacuation in the event of a fire or other emergency. As the only shelter in Washington County that allows families to remain intact while experiencing homelessness, it was critical that these repairs be made as soon as possible. With the help of United Way’s Live United Urgent Needs Grant in the amount of $1,992.81, they were able to get the fire escape repairs completed in a timely manner while keeping the residents safe. Pictured here is St. John’s Board President, Carla Charles.

The United Way's Urgent Needs Grant was also able to award $600.00 to Potomac Case Management for mattress protectors to ensure the health and safety of participants in the Supportive Housing program.

The funding available through United Way of Washington County’s

Live United Urgent Needs grant has helped over 18 non-profits in our community

this past year. For more information on the Live United Urgent Needs Grant,

contact Kelli Tencer at 301-739-8200 ext. 104.

Or visit our website: https://www.unitedwaywashcounty.org/

community-impact-grants-investments

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:

https://www.unitedwaywashcounty.org/form/live-united-urgent-needs-grant

October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month

Washington County has the highest rate of sudden, unexpected infant deaths in the state of Maryland. Many of these deaths are preventable. All babies from birth to 1 year should sleep Alone, on their Back and in a Crib. There should be no items in the cribs except for a well-fitting mattress sheet. Room sharing is encouraged but bed sharing (co-sleeping) greatly increases the possibility of injury or death. This is due to the risk of suffocation. (Place Your Baby to Sleep Safely Flyer) (Cribs for Kids Flyer) For additional information please contact Lisa Getka (240-313-3446) or Lindsay Ridenhour (240-313-3302) at the Washington County Health Department.

Volunteers Wanted for "Circles" Program!

The Community Action Council is bringing a dynamic new program to Washington County called Circles, designed to move families out of poverty and into economic prosperity and wholeness through a relational support system. Houses of worship and faith community members are needed to make this program successful. Watch this short VIDEO to learn more about the program and its success in other communities. For more info or to volunteer, contact Elizabeth Howe at ehowe@wccac.org or Kim Buchanan at kbuchanan@wccac.org or call (301) 797-4161.  Circles website

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Tori Avey

"Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year. It’s a very important holiday on the Jewish calendar. It is the first of what we call the High Holidays (or High Holy Days), a ten-day period that ends with Yom Kippur—the holiest day of the Jewish year. On Rosh Hashanah, Jews from all over the world celebrate God’s creation of the world. Rosh Hashanah is two days long, and it usually occurs during the month of September."

What is the proper greeting for Rosh Hashanah?

If you’d like to wish somebody a happy Jewish New Year, you can say “L’Shanah Tovah,”

which is Hebrew for “A Good Year.”

 When is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah begins on the 1st of Tishrei and continues for two days.

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the following dates:

Jewish Year 5783: Sunset September 25, 2022 – Nightfall September 27, 2022

Read more.

The Doleman Black Heritage Museum Receives Artifact Donations From Second Christian Church and Zion Baptist Church of Hagerstown, Maryland.

Hagerstown, MD - September 20, 2022.

The Doleman Black Heritage Museum(DBHM) proudly announces donations of 13 dedication windows from Second Christian Church and the 3-minute Car Wash sign from Zion Baptist Church. The 13 dedication windows from Second Christian Church tell the stories of dedicated members of their church from its beginnings over a century ago. The window restoration is entrusted to Glass Works of Hagerstown, MD. The 3-minute Car Wash sign is from a business that employed many residents of Jonathan Street and serviced the City of Hagerstown and Washington County.

These artifacts donated and entrusted to DBHM will enhance the museum’s exhibits of the people, businesses, culture, and heritage of the Jonathan Street neighborhood.

DBHM is grateful for these donations and thanks Second Christian Church and Zion Baptist Church entrusting the museum with these precious artifacts. We cannot wait to see how they will be exhibited in our new home. 

The Literacy Council of Washington County is looking for people who would like to become volunteer tutors!! You don't need experience teaching or tutoring to volunteer as a tutor!! You DO need patience, enthusiasm, dedication, a measure of organization, and cultural sensitivity. We'll provide free training via Zoom, ongoing support, free materials to use with your student, and tutor gatherings. The rewards are many!! As a tutor, you will make a difference in the life of another person, their family, the available workforce in the county, and the skill level of that workforce. Next training starts Tuesday, October 18 at 6:30pm via Zoom. Want to learn more? Contact us!! 301-739-4208 or office@literacyofwcmd.org.

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.

If interested, contact: 

Chris Austin, Manager of Environmental Services 

Christopher.Austin@meritushealth.com