News

New and gently used books for all ages, with a preference for ages birth to 11, are wanted for this year’s Community Book Drive.  Books are collected throughout the community from August 1 to September 14 then counted and sorted on the United Way’s Day of Caring.  Children’s books will be distributed to vulnerable children through the Community Book Warehouse, and other books will be used by the United Way’s Books United program.  The Community Book Drive is a partnership of HARC, the United Way, The Judy Center, and several other community partners.  Learn more.  Collection Sites flyer  Collecting Books flyer

REACH Presents
Taste of the Town
Sunday, October 1, 2023
at 5:00 PM

Tickets are Available Online
Friday, July 21, 2023 at 12:00 PM

 

Tickets can be purchased online at TicketMaster.com, by phone at 301-790-2000, or in person at our Box Office.
Pre-sales may be limited to availability. For groups of 8 or more, contact the Box Office Directly by Phone at 301-790-2000 to purchase.

Direct link to event tickets

Houses of worship, businesses, organizations and individuals will collect books from August 1 – September 14 for people of all ages, with a primary focus on children ages birth to 11. Over the years we’ve collected and distributed more than 113,000 books in our community for children’s literacy efforts. Please join in this community-wide effort to improve literacy. If interested, please contact Terri at gwizzy2000@gmail.com as soon as possible so we can add you to the promotions.  Learn more

with Sommer Gilliam and Guiding Foster Children with Kathleen Prest and Jennifer Lewis and  Rabbi Mark

Religion and faith isn’t the only thing discussed on The Interfaith Roundtable. This discussion is focused on community work and how the ideals of helping and aiding those around us coincides with faith or is an off-shoot of it.

Sommer Gilliam combined her love of community with her love of creating. The owner of Kreeative Kreations in Hagerstown, Maryland, Sommer creates not only beautiful hairstyles, but also soulful and delicious treats. As a director of The Washington County Black Professionals Network, Sommer lives a life of uplifting those around her, while also chasing her own dreams. She tells her story and why she does what she does.

In the second half, Rabbi Mark is joined by Kathleen Prest, a social worker who works to train foster families with San Mar Treatment Foster Care, as well as Jennifer Lewis, a fellow congregate and clinical social worker as well as the Director of Treatment Foster Care for San Mar Family and Community Services. These two ladies discuss the importance of stability and love for foster children, as well as detail the work they do in helping in transitions and guiding them in life.

Listen to the podcast. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable Saturday mornings on 98.9 FM/AM 1490 WARK or catch the podcasts here.

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