'Tis the season of giving, and we all know there is never a shortage of those in need. This past September, the Elkridge Food Pantry's annual 5k Fun Run Benefit sported the theme: "Give Where You Live." Keeping that concept alive and well, here's how you can reach out and help at the local level. In the spirit of the season, please help grant the "wish list" of these local charitable opportunities. Your kindness and generosity will warm hearts and bring cheer to homes of those most in need!
The Elkridge Food Pantry is accepting donations of new toys, games, clothing, toiletries and warm weather gear for their holiday family outreach program. Donations should be new and appropriate for gift giving for toddlers through children 16 years old.
Monetary contributions are also welcome and appreciated. Checks should be made payable to the Elkridge Food Pantry and can be mailed to the EFP at 5646 Furnace Ave., Elkridge, MD 21075. Donations are being accepted for gift items through Monday, Dec. 12. You can make arrangements for pick up or drop off of gifts by emailing Lori Gerus at algerus@juno.com.
The Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department's annual Holiday Food Drive benefits less fortunate families in Elkridge, Hanover and surrounding communities. Donations of perishable and non-perishable foods can be brought to the Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department or given to Santa and Mrs. Claus on their annual neighborhood fire truck visits.
Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated. Checks should be made out to the EVFD, and can be mailed to: 6275 Old Washington Road, Elkridge 21075. For more information, call Joe Slavotinek at 410-984-1796.
Holiday is one way the Howard County Office on Aging is helping seniors in need. The Senior Center locations all over the County — the Elkridge Senior Center is located inside the Elkridge Branch Library — are collecting personal care items for low-income seniors who have little or no family and reside in local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and in their own homes within the community.
Needed items include: socks, lotion, body wash, soap, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, powder, toothpaste & brushes, and men's undershirts. Other "wish list" items include sweaters, nightgowns, pajamas, puzzle books, stamps and stationary.
The Office on Aging also accepts monetary donations, and checks should be made payble to Howard County Office on Aging (note Project Holiday in the memo field) and mailed to Howard County Office on Aging, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, 2nd Floor, Columbia, MD 21046.
For more information, call Ofelia Ross at 410-313-6423 or email her at oross@howardcountymd.gov.
Get some of your holiday shopping done and support small, local businesses and entrepreneurs in the process. Don't miss the PTA Holiday Shoppe at Elkridge Elementary School Friday, Dec. 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The event will feature some wonderful vendors, including: Twins Silver Dream, Busy Beads Handmade Jewelry, hand painted glassware, handmade embroidery items, plus baked goods and homemade jams, and a wide array of home-party consultants and their products. Email Darcy Concha at tonyanddarcy@verizon.net for more information.
CrossLife Community Church is hosting its third annual Christmas Gingerbread House Contest Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Elkridge Fire Hall. The kids create their own festive gingerbread house from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. At that time, judges from the community will pick the best representative of the various categories, and prizes will be awarded. Light refreshments will be served and Santa will make a visit.
For additional information, call Michelle Mackall at 410-960-6301 or email michelle@crosslifeonline.com.
December sounds like a festive, fun month to join the folks at the Elkridge Senior Center at the Elkridge Branch Library. On Monday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon, it will host a wreath-making project. This event is free to all participants. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the Elkridge Seniors will enjoy the annual Christmas party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is $15 per person and will feature a wonderful show by the Fabulous 50+ Players, a homemade lunch and a visit from Santa.
For more information on these or other center events, call centee Director Jeanne Slater at 410-313-5192.
Don't miss Breakfast with Santa at the Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department Sunday, Dec. 11 from 7 to 11 a.m. Tickets are a bargain for this all-you-can-eat breakfast feast: adults are $8, seniors (55 and older) $7, kids ages 5-12 can fill up for only $5 and little tykes (younger than 5) eat for free. You are welcome to bring wrapped gifts for lesser advantaged children and canned goods to help with the annual food basket drive.
What a great way to visit with your friends and neighbors at the fire hall, and spend a Sunday morning getting in the spirit of Christmas.
Take note of this annual fire department tradition. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making their rounds via fire truck. As they make their way through Elkridge and Hanover, they will also be collecting non-perishable goods and new toys to help fill the fire department's annual Giving Baskets.
The EVFD asks that you do not call the fire department to inquire about Santa's arrival in your neighborhood; however, when you hear the festive tone of the siren, gather on your street corner to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Here's a great big "Happy Birthday" shout out to Bill Flavin, who celebrated his 80th birthday Dec. 3 at the Lansdowne Inn (a personal favorite eatery of his). According to Bill's daughter, Hanover resident Dawn Weglein of Hanover, "Almost 60 loving family members and friends got together for a surprise party at the Inn to celebrate my Dad's life. Dad was living with us for a time, but now resides at Charlestown. He is still an active member of St. Augustine Church here in Elkridge."
Bill is the proud father of four, grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather of two! Happy Birthday, Bill! Here's wishing you many more years of health and happiness.
The Howard High School girls cross country team had a strong finish at the Class 3A sate championships. The team placed ninth out of 21 teams. Coach Matthew Stump was proud of his athletes and provided the following results from the state meet hat Hereford High School Nov. 12, in Parkton.
With 150 girls running a very challenging 5k course, the Howard girls posted the following race results: Hollie Adejumo (placed 25th with a time of 21:42.5); Caroline Haden (26th in 21:42.9); Anne Kinsey (40th in 22:20.3); Melissa Pratt (78th in 23:11.2); Bridget Graef (90th in 23:26.2); Kelsey Cardace (102nd in 23:50.3); and Shannon Kirby (112th in 24:12.1).
Finally, the team wants to recognize the senior girls on this year's team who will not be returning for the 2012 season. They are: Hollie Adejumo, Megan Centafont, Hannah Cho, Rachel Dooley, Laura Froh, Becky Newell and Megan O'Malley. Adejumo and O'Malley were two of the team's captains; Adejumo, O'Malley, and Newell were all four-year cross country runners. We wish these ladies the best of luck and success as they pursue life's challenges.
When you get hear Coach Nathan Ferrell tell it, change and progress are the two words that can best describe the Howard boys' cross country 2011 season.
"While setting some new milestones and accomplishing things unthinkable a few seasons ago, the Lion long distance runners placed third at the Scorpion Crawl (an elite invitational), placed fourth in their region and earned their spot at the state meet, where they placed 11th out of 24 teams in the 3A division," Ferrell said.
With nearly 50 members, the team trained relentlessly to improve stamina, strength and speed as they shaved minutes off their times and became a legitimate force at the county, regional and state levels. Keep an eye on the Lions for the 2012 season!
The coach attributes this year's success to the contributions by senior runners James Oslund, Kirtan Patel and Steven Eastman, who all set personal records on multiple courses and lead their team as solid point earners.
Next year the team will look to current junior Danny Rau (who placed 15th at the state meet) to lead the team once again as he has done so well for the past two years. Current Sophmore Luke Filar is certain to gain even more speed and strength as he progresses over the year and battles with current freshmen Ray Smith, Nolan Dunnigan and Devon Rowell to fill in the holes left by the departure of the team's three senior runners.
The team wishes the best to Oslund, Patel, and Eastman as they find their way in the world through college and other personal pursuits; their contributions, teamwork and friendship will be missed in 2012!
Please keep all of our brave women and men who are far from home this holiday season (and their families) in your thoughts and prayers. Remember to "Give Where You Live" and whether it's by word, action or deed, it all makes a difference. Please keep in touch and let me know what you'd like to share in this space. Thanks and have a stellar week!