DURING THE holiday season, we hear of people helping one another in various ways - canned goods are donated to food pantries, baskets are filled for Christmas dinners, toys are collected for needy children, and people volunteer to work in soup kitchens.
Here is another: Women from St. John Lutheran Church in Linthicum help fill small boxes with items for distribution to seamen through the Baltimore International Seafarers' Center Inc. in Locust Point.
Seamen who enter Baltimore's port during the Christmas holidays are given a box as a gift. The Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have overseen the project for the past five years, said Lois King, member and chairwoman of the box program.
She said each member fills boxes with shaving cream, playing cards, hard candy, T-shirts and other items.
"It really isn't that expensive to make up a box," she said. "I go to the dollar store and can get nice warm gloves, socks, and scarves."
It is suggested that the volunteers include their names and addresses on a Christmas card. A small New Testament Bible is also included.
King said St. John Lutheran Church is one of many Lutheran churches in the Delaware-Maryland Synod that participates. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, the Episcopal Diocese and other agencies also help with donations for the more than 700 boxes that are distributed every year.
"The Linthicum women have been such a support to us. The seamen do appreciate the gifts," said Allene Taylor, assistant director of the Seafarers' International Center.
Taylor delivers the gift-wrapped boxes to the ships. "I get more fun taking these boxes to the men. They don't expect it," she said.
The Baltimore headquarters for the Seafarers' International Center houses office space, a small chapel, computers, a recreation room with ping-pong and pool tables, and a closet of clothes men can choose from if needed.
The nonprofit center operates year-round through donations and grants. Brother Ed Munro, BSG, is the founder and director.
Christmas party
The Ferndale Roadrunners seniors group is celebrating the season with two events. A Christmas party will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, at the Ferndale-Linthicum Senior Center, 7205 Baltimore and Annapolis Blvd. Chuck Brooks will play the keyboards. The cost is $16 for associate members and friends, free for regular members.
Information: Melvia Scott, president, at 410-761-0484.
AARP installations
State Comptroller William Donald Schaefer will preside at the installation of officers of the Patapsco Valley Chapter 3850 of the AARP.
The installation will take place during the chapter's Christmas Luncheon from noon to 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at Snyder's Willow Grove Restaurant. Key Revue will provide entertainment.
The new officers are: Eleanor Pieroschek, president; Stephanie Groth, vice president; Janice Hamlin, secretary; Betty Hidey, treasurer; Anna King, assistant treasurer. The board of directors' members are June Allis, Bernice Chenoweth, Dick Chenoweth, Margaret Cutchins, Anna King, J.T. Perry, Anne Rice, Dorothy Stoll and John Stoll.
Alice Berigtold, Alice Cole, Clare Hirschman, Evelyn Lapp and Dorothy Svitak are on the nominating committee.
Information: Paul Bagley at 410-255-2601.
Democratic Club
The District 32 Democratic Club will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:45 p.m. Thursday at the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department. A potluck dinner will be served. Officers and directors for next year will be elected.
Guests are welcome. Information: Tom Dixon, president, at 410-672-2837, or Evelyn Kellner, vice president, at 410-672-6850.