Happy New Year!
As 2017 begins, please remember this: volunteering makes a difference. Your time and skills can help churches, animal shelters, schools, committees and so much more. By working for the greater good, it will not only benefit you spiritually but it will help those in need.
A volunteering event is coming up on Monday, Jan. 16. The "Day On Not A Day Off" day of service celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center, along with Church on the Rock and their partners, invite all Anne Arundel County residents to help celebrate by coming together and volunteering for several nonprofit organizations at one central location.
There will be two shifts, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Church on the Rock, 649 Old Mill Road in Millersville. Various activities include making Valentine's Day cards for our troops serving overseas and their families stateside; assembling and decorating toiletry bags for backpacks, which will go to children in foster care and helping individuals with developmental disabilities in a project.
The Day Of Service is open to all ages. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult, (one adult for every group of six youth). Participants should bring a non-perishable food item for the Anne Arundel Food and Resource Bank. Washable coats, gently used or new, in sizes to fit infants to high schoolers will also be collected for distribution to children in need through Chrysalis House, HOPE For All and the International Student Services Officeat Anne Arundel County Public Schools. To learn more or sign up, go to www.aacvc.org/SpecialEvents and for any questions, please call 410-8979207 or email info @aacvc.org. Spaces are limited for this fantastic opportunity, so sign up by Thursday, Jan.12 at 5 p.m. Parking is free.
Congratulations to Russett resident Nicole Briscoe, who has written her first children's book, "Song Bird, A Young Girl's Journey To Faith." Nicole, who not only volunteers in Russett and is heavily involved in her church, works as a mental health counselor/social worker specializing in working with adults with special needs. Nicole's interest and authorship of children's books started as a tribute to all children to remember to aspire to achieve their dreams and goals no matter what life may send their way. Nicole said working with troubled youths reminds her daily that we are all here for a special purpose and with faith we can pursue our talents and reach our highest goals. Online purchase information and other details will be in a future column. Stay tuned.
Birthday wishes Lisa Castaneda, who celebrates on Jan.10, Bob Louthian, who celebrates on Jan.12 and Jason Waskey, who celebrates on Jan.19.