Local and city elected officials and members of the community helped celebrate the opening of Laurel Advocacy and Referral Service's renovated facility in June 11.

The celebration included a ribbon cutting with scissors LARS Director Nancy Graham; Laurel Mayor Craig Moe; City Council President Michael Leszcz; City Council members Frederick Smalls, Donna Crary and Valerie Cunningham; Prince George's County Council member Mary Lehman; state Sen. James Rosapepe; state Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyck; and former Prince George's County Council member Thomas Dernoga, who were all recognized for their significant contributions to the LARS facility renovations that were completed in March 2011.

Refreshments were provided by LARS, but prepared on the city's "Big Bertha," a retrofited RV that the city uses to feed volunteers and workers during emergencies and that is operated by volunteer Eddie Ricks, of the Laurel Emergency Services Management.

A blessing of the new facility, the LARS staff and their work in the community was offered by the Rev. Sheila McJilton, of St. Philip's Episcopal Church; the Rev. Stephanie Vader, of Emmanuel United Methodist Church; and the Rev. Amy Schacht, of Laurel Presbyterian Church.

LARS is a non-proselytizing ecumenical ministry that assists homeless and low income individuals and families by providing emergency and long-term services designed to promote self-sufficiency. It operates a food pantry and provides a program where volunteers "adopt" families during the holidays.