54 Schools Participate in Change Matters Campaign
 
Howard County elementary, middle and high school students raised almost $41,000 for Grassroots during the 2014-2015 school year. Fifty-four schools participated in Change Matters, the student community service and philanthropy initiative to raise awareness about poverty and homelessness and the services provided by Grassroots. This was the seventh year of the campaign. Students have donated over $180,000 to Grassroots since 2008.

Students have collected change in lunchrooms, at sporting events and concerts. They have hosted bake sales and tea parties, held penny wars and sports competitions, zumbathons and walkathons, Empty Bowls dinners and concerts. They have collected cans of food and prepared lunches, created Valentines and donated Christmas gifts. They have been engaged, creative and open hearted to people less fortunate than they are.

Change Matters Coordinator Cathy Smith made an end-of-the-year presentation about Change Matters to the Howard County Board of Education.  “Until they learn about Grassroots,” she told the School Board, “many of our students have no idea that Howard County’s public schools include classmates who are homeless and whose families are in crisis.” 

Grassroots thanks the students of Howard County for their generosity and good works on behalf of others who need help.



4^th Annual Glen Mar Golf Classic Sets a New Record

The 4th Annual Glen Mar Golf Classic raised almost $37,000 to support the people served by Grassroots. The event was organized by Glen Mar United Methodist Church members Libby Boswell, Janet Engles, Phil Enstice, John Hampshire, Jr., Barbara Julian, Sandy Kappert, Don Lee, Jim Lyman and Alison Zuzak, with support from Glen Mar Senior Pastor Matt Poole.  A team of volunteers was on-hand the day of the tourney.

The tournament attracted 100 golfers. A silent auction, organized and displayed by Marietta Derby, Janet Eagles, Bonnie Dust, Janet Engles, Tina Heyler, Debbie Meyer, Nancy Pirritano, Debbie Wood and Alison Zuzak, included hundreds of items from local businesses and individuals. A barbeque lunch was prepared by George and Sally Dohner and Tom Connolly.

Presenting Sponsors were The Columbia Bank and Ourisman Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram of Clarksville. Other major sponsors included Gold Sponsors Eggspectation, Esther's Place Assisted Living, George and Sally Dohner, Edward and Karen Frere, Glen Mar United Methodist Church, and Glen Mar Thursday AM Women’s Study Group. Silver Sponsors included Crystal Steel Fabricators, inc., Master Flooring and Remodeling, Glen Mar Tuesday Night Bible Soup Group, Tino’s Italian Bistro, Vector Security and David Ward. Don and Pat Lee were the Putting Contest Sponsors. Hole-in-One Car Sponsor was Ourisman Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram of Clarksville. Bags and snacks were provided by Columbia Whole Foods Market and UTZ


 

Police Recruits Sleep Out to End Homelessness

The 22 recruits Howard County Police Department’s Academy Class 39 experienced what it is like to be without a roof over your head in Howard County in winter.  Their community service project, “Sleep Out to End Homelessness,” involved recruits serving and sharing dinner with the people who stayed the night at the Cold Weather Shelter being held at Glen Mar United Methodist Church. The recruits then spent the night outside in recognition of those who lack a place to live.

During the evening, the recruits were visited by Maggiano’s restaurant, which provided the dinner meal for the recruits, church volunteers and the guests, as well as Police Chief Gary Gardner, Grassroots Executive Director Andrea Ingram and County Executive Allan Kittleman.

Prior to the overnight exercise, Academy Class 39 collected supplies and donations. They raised more than $8,000 for Grassroots, which often works directly with police officers dealing with crisis situations in Howard County.  

Keller Williams Volunteers Beautify Grassroots
 
Local commercial and residential real estate agents and contractors affiliated with Keller Williams Realty Centre of Howard County turned out in full force this Spring for a community service project at Grassroots.
 
In Columbia, 75 local Keller Williams volunteers weeded, mulched and planted the Grassroots Children’s Garden, painted rooms and hallways, organized and built new shelves in the storage closets and prepared and served dinner for individuals and families in the shelter program. At the Day Resource Center in Jessup, volunteers renovated three bathrooms.
 
The project was organized by Aaron Gartrell of Keller Williams with help from Darrell Nevin, Jeanette Westcott, Sandy Mcallister, Partick Toronot, Neil Bordelaise and Mary Beth Brown. Funds for the project came from Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent, Tino’s Italian Bistro and several fundraising events sponsored by Keller Williams.



Soup’r Sundae is Super Successful

The seventh annual Soup‘r Sundae fundraiser for Grassroots attracted 600 attendees for an afternoon of family fun, fabulous soup and all the delicious ice cream you could eat. M&T Bank was the Platinum Sponsor.

Other sponsors included Gold Sponsors Court Place Advisors, Rotary Club of Clarksville, Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent and The Wendy Slaughter Team of RE/Max 100.  Silver Sponsors were Biegel & Waller, LLC, Ellicott City Lions Club, Howard Bank, Lisa Hussman, Koren Development Company, Inc., The Mall in Columbia and Rotary Club of Columbia Town Center.  Bronze Sponsors included Bob’s BMW Motorcycles, Elaine Gossage/State Farm, Greenfield Family Trust, Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, Howard Hughes Corporation, Jean Moon & Associates, The Odum Real Estate Group, Rotary Club of Columbia, Rotary Club of Elkridge and Steve and Lee Sachs.

Participating restaurants and others donating soup included Aida Bistro, Alexandra’s at Turf Valley, Bistro Blanc, Clyde’s of Columbia, Elkridge Furnace Inn, Honey Baked Ham Co., Iron Bridge Wine Co., Kelsey’s Restaurant, Kings Contrivance, LeeLynn’s, Nor Pac, Petit Louis, Ranazul, T-Bonz Grille & Pub, Tino’s Italian Bistro, Vantage House, Victoria Gastro Pub, Waterside Restaurant and Wilde Lake High School Culinary Program.

The annual event was hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Howard County and Wilde Lake High School and featured 80 volunteers from Howard County high schools, who helped with everything from dishing up ice cream to dancing with the young guests. 

Gimbel Foundation Funds Grassroots Employment Program
 
The S. L. Gimbel Foundation has granted Grassroots $24,960 to fund its on-site employment support to help people get and keep good jobs.  The program includes individual and group sessions, peer encouragement and support, mock interviews, resume writing, job search efforts, lessons in work place etiquette, access to work clothes and engaging employers to consider hiring people served by Grassroots.  Partners include community agencies that can complement the services that Grassroots provides its residents.



Suicide Prevention Symposium set for Sept. 11

The 6^th Annual Suicide Prevention Symposium sponsored by Grassroots is set for Friday, Sept. 11, from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Robinson Nature Center in Columbia. For more information, contact Tamara Van Newkirk at 410-531-6006.