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In This Issue...
Thank You For Your Support!
There has been an outpouring of support for Grassroots in the last couple of months, so we are devoting this newsletter to thanking our generous contributors and alerting you to upcoming events. More news will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. Happy New Year!
Service Van A special “thank you” to George and Shahra Toth, members of the Christ Episcopal Church Outreach Commission, for their efforts in creating a successful matching-fund campaign to acquire a service van to assist transport of Grassroots clients at the Day Resource Center. With their support, $20,000 has been raised. We thank them for their generosity and leadership.
Safe Space Grassroots has been awarded a $30,000 grant from The Horizon Foundation to create a “Safe Space” for LBGTQ youth and to train partners and fellow providers about best practices in working with youth who are coming out, transitioning or struggling with their gender or sexual identity or orientation.
Empty Bowls The Bet Avid Sisterhood at The Meeting House in Columbia raised $850 at an Empty Bowls event to benefit Grassroots.
Rocking for Grassroots The Covenant Band recently presented "7 Decades of Rock" benefit concert at The Church at Covenant Park in Ellicott City. The event raised over $2,500. Meeting at the show were (from l.) band members Kevin Suffecool and Paul Marshall, Anna Katz of Grassroots and band member Jonathan Crow.
Breakfast Food Howard County Councilmember Calvin Ball led a drive to observe National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week with the “Breakfast for Grassroots” campaign to feed shelter residents. Also assisting were Matt Madera, Facility Director at North Laurel Community Center and Park, and Lori Conforti, Teens’ Instructor and Research Specialist at the Glenwood Branch Library and other members of the Horizon Community Councils. Hundreds of cans of coffee, boxes of cereal and other items were collected. Accepting food donations from Councilmember Ball was Grassroots Executive Director Ayesha Holmes.
Shakespearian Tea The National Art Honor Society and the Art Club at Marriotts Ridge High School raised $300 at a Shakespearian Tea to benefit Grassroots. Attendees received a hand-made tea cup, homemade sweet and savory treats made by both the National Arts Honor Society and the school’s Culinary Arts Department. Among those at the tea were (seated from l.) Maia Dunchak, Erica Johnson, Alyssa and Jen Theimer. Servers were Emmy Mako and Bisma Awan. At the back table is Fan Zhand, server Nina Wyckoff and guest Jacqueline Lewis.
Holiday Food & Wine Tasting Almost $8,000 was raised at the 3rd Annual Women Leaders for Grassroots Holiday Food and Wine Tasting hosted by Whole Foods Market Columbia, which donated the space and the food. Decanter Fine Wines donated the wines for sampling. Presenting sponsors included Lisa Hussman, Jean Moon of Jean Moon & Associates and Barb Van Winkle of Nancy Adams Personnel. Applauding event speaker Shanell Harris at the event were (from l.) Libby Boswell, Esen Paradiso, Andrea Ingram, Kathy Flanagan, Sandi Berman, Courtney Moon and Carolyn Kelemen.
Suicide Prevention Benefit The 3rd Annual Spin in the City fundraiser at Quest Fitness to benefit the Grassroots hotline and suicide prevention services generated over $6,000. Sponsors included Elaine Gossage State Farm, Aziza Doumani Reiki & Wellness, Decisive Communications, Dorsey Homes, Katherine Farrell, Katrina Tagget Memorial Fund, Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams, MCCS Fund, Jean Moon & Associates, Neubauer’s Auto Repair, and West End Service, Inc. In-kind sponsors included Bristol Sounds DeeJays, Carrabba’s, Classic Catering, Grand Rental, Maggiano’s, Maggio Family, Rowe Family, Quest Fitness, and Whole Foods Market Columbia. Participants included (from l.) Terri Doan, Beth Connor, Debbie Stout, Andrea Dorsey, Chelsea Keane, Wendy Rumrill, and Linda Zacharias.
Breakfast with Santa Youngsters, their parents and grandparents had a wonderful time at two sold-out “Breakfast with Santa” events presented as a benefit for Grassroots by Seasons 52 restaurant at The Mall in Columbia, which provided Santa, hostess Miss Julie and gifts for attendees. The Pandora store donated a bracelet with charms for a raffle. Student volunteers from Howard County high schools, pictured with Santa, served as greeters and wait staff.
Shake Shack Opening Shake Shack, which calls itself a “modern day roadside burger stand,” hosted an invitation-only preview before opening its new store at The Mall in Columbia and encouraged guests and staff members to make contributions to Grassroots. Over $6,400 was raised. Bob Lopes is the general manager of Shake Shack.
Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, March 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: The 10th Annual Soup’r Sundae hosted by The Faith Community Partnership of Bethany United Methodist Church and Glen Mar United Methodist Church and Wilde Lake High School is bound to be the best yet. This family-friendly fundraiser for Grassroots includes all-you-can-eat soup and ice cream, entertainment for children, and an extensive silent auction with bargains for everyone. Tickets ($20 for adults, $5 for children under 12) are available online at souprsundae.eventbrite.com or by contacting cathyvsmith@verizon.net. Tickets will also be available at the door for cash and checks made out to Grassroots. Sponsorships are available.
Through March 31: When you use your own grocery bags at Whole Foods Market Columbia, the store will refund a nickel per bag or you can choose to donate the nickel to Grassroots. The Nickels for Nonprofits is one of the ways Whole Foods supports Grassroots.
Monday, May 14, 7:30 a.m.: Registration is open for the 7th Annual Glen Mar Golf Classic at the Timbers of Troy Golf Course in Elkridge. Hosted by Glen Mar United Methodist Church, the tournament includes a continental breakfast, silent auction, trophies and barbecue luncheon. The tournament fee is $135 per player, or $540 per foursome. Non-golfers may attend at $25 per person to join the luncheon and participate in the silent auction. Register online at glenmargolfclassic.com.
Are you a Friend of Grassroots?
Are you a donor to Grassroots? Have you made a gift this year? Grassroots depends upon the generosity of individuals, organizations and businesses in the community to support its free services to people in crisis, to help provide the 24-7 hotline and suicide prevention efforts, round-the-clock personal counseling, Mobile Crisis Team, the shelter programs and other activities to help people achieve a positive resolution to their crisis situation. Please make a gift to Grassroots today. Any size gift is welcome. If you can afford $50 or more per month, consider joining The Friends of Grassroots who donate $600 or more per year. Thank you for your support.
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