News

Saturday, June 10 was a beautiful day for the HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope at Shepherd’s Spring Camp & Retreat Center and the C&O Canal Towpath.  More than 145 people registered for this year’s event, with 15 opting for a “Virtual Hike” (hike on their own), and the majority enjoying a day of fun outdoors.  Proceeds from the main Hike on June 10 combined with the May 13 Challenge Hike exceeded $33,000 for HARC and the Micah’s Backpack program – thanks to many who sponsored the event or did fundraising to support it!  See our “Lovely Day” video with scenes from Hike day.

Special thanks go to our top sponsors:  MS Johnston and the God’s Grace Fund, JLG/Jerr-dan, First Christian Church, Meritus Health, and Columbia Gas of Maryland/NiSource (see Hike page for all our amazing sponsors).  Our top fundraising team for the June 10 hike was Hebron Mennonite Church, led by Marvin Horst, raising more than $2,500 in honor of Ed Poling, then another $2,000+ (TBD) via a 100 mile bicycle ride fundraiser by members Mary Dunn and Mike Martin.  Top individual fundraisers included Hike team member Ed Maloy with $1,006 and Elizabeth Paul with $630 raised.

We couldn’t do this event without our amazing volunteers!  Hike team:  Rev. Ed Poling, Deacon Sue Wert, Ed Maloy, Kelly Conrad, Beth Johnston, Butch Eigenbrode (Antietam Radio Association) and Kathleen Wood.  Radio Communications & More: Antietam Radio Association.  Hospitality Teams: Hebron Mennonite Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, and the Baha’is of Washington County.  Vans & Drivers:  Christ’s Reformed Church (Tom VanMetre), St. John’s Episcopal Church (Rev. Todd & Joelene Young), Hagerstown Church of the Nazarene (Allen Yoder), Valley Grace Brethren, and Celebration Ministries (driven by Bob Rauth). And all volunteers who helped with check-in, lunch, shuttles to cars and more – we THANK YOU!

See more pictures on our HARC Hike Facebook page.

 

 

Recipients of the 2023-2024 Equity in Education Scholarship were honored June 8 at the WCPS Center for Education Services. The scholarship was created via private donors and grant funds through the Hagerstown Area Religious Council, Education Foundation of WCPS, and the Community Foundation of Washington County. Congratulations to this year’s honorees (shown with awards from left): Tiffany Shepherd, Kamilah Scott, Xenia Diaz, Gabrielle Desir-Pierre, and Cayla Mayo.  We also celebrate Lyvon Campbell (pictured second from far left) and Delphine Kahl (not present), recipients of the 2022 scholarship who will be teaching full time at Washington County Public Schools this fall!

We are especially grateful to the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation and The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland for their generous grant awards that made this opportunity possible.  Thanks also to Soroptomist International of Hagerstown, Funkhouser Foundation, and many generous individuals who financially supported the 2023-2024 scholarships.

You can read about the scholarship here

A small group of concerned citizens have formed a small group to provide a Resource Fair for the local community to serve those in need (homeless, indigent, low income). We are hopeful that this might become an annual event, and will grow to include more participating agencies. However, we are off to a great start with about a dozen groups participating so far.

The event will be held at Zion UCC on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 12 noon to 4 pm. Some of the groups present will include CASA, Community Action Council, Children In Need, Medication First, and Change Health System, to name just a few. There will be resource information available as well, such as lists of clothing and food banks.

We would like to supply small tote bags to each person who attends as well as bottled water. There is no public funding available, so we are looking for donations from groups and/or individuals who might be able to contribute even a small amount to help purchase these items. Would it be possible for HARC to spread the word of our need? In addition, if anyone would like to volunteer on the day of the event (welcome attendees, hand out bags and bottled water, direct people to the various tables), we would welcome the help.

Checks can be made out to Zion Church and mailed to the church at 201 N. Potomac St  Hagerstown, MD 21740. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact me directly at my s.graff@myactv.net or by phone at 301-667-8685.

The Salvation Army has several job openings for our Boys and Girls Club Red Shield program. Below are the links through Indeed to apply. Please contact Joel at 301-733-2440 extension 50416 with any questions.

Community Center Program Coordinator_NE-PMC_708-Community Center Programs – Career Portal (dayforcehcm.com)

(seasonal) Community Center Program Aide – Career Portal (dayforcehcm.com)

Community Center Program Aide (Hagerstown, MD) – Career Portal (dayforcehcm.com)

Please spread the word so they can have their summer program this year!

Thank you!

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A huge thank you to the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland for investing $30,000 of their Reparation Grant fund in two of HARC’s racial Justice initiatives – the Washington County Black Professionals Network and the Equity in Education Scholarship. We are extremely grateful for the Episcopal Diocese’ support of these efforts to foster diverse teachers and economic prosperity for African Americans in Washington County, MD. Photo: Father Todd Young and Tania Anderson represent HARC’s board and Racial Justice Team to accept the award.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, located at 601 Washington Avenue in Hagerstown, has over 100 Samsonite padded metal folding chairs free on a first-come, first-served request(s). Please contact the church office at 301.733.7550 if you are interested in any or all of the chairs.