Nonprofit Institute at CSM Promotes Local Projects for Local Support
The Southern Maryland community has provided more than $10,000 to local organizations through the online giving portal, Southern Maryland Gives, an initiative of the Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland. The online hub, available at www.southernmarylandgives.org, highlights nonprofits addressing our region's needs through the environment, historic preservation, humanitarian aid, health, education, arts and culture, youth services and programs, animals and more.
In addition to the many local nonprofits that are accepting general donations, Southern Maryland Gives has added two projects for a total of eight featured projects during December. Projects are: Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Association, Melwood Horticultural Training Center, Hope for Life Fund, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, St. Mary's Adult Day Care, LifeStyles of Maryland, Center for Children, and Humane Society of Charles County.
Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Association, Inc., project goal $5,000
Dedicated to preserve, educate, and inspire-the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum's vision is to celebrate and preserve the past, present and future of Naval Aircraft. The museum is creating an exceptionally enjoyable and educational experience in their new building. This project is to raise funds for creating interactive, high-tech exhibits.
Melwood Horticultural Training Center, Inc., project goal $5,000
Post-traumatic stress is a significant barrier to employment for our nation's veterans. Operation: Tohidu is a retreat program for veterans and active duty military. Tohidu is a Cherokee word meaning peace of mind, body, and spirit. These retreats are designed to address the specific needs of veterans and active duty service members who are dealing with deployment-related trauma. Operation: Tohidu has helped more than 125 veterans and has had a remarkable impact on participants. Additional funding is needed to support more veterans.
Hope for Life Fund, Inc., project goal $1,500
Hope for Life was created to provide support to individuals who have lost loved ones to suicide and/or experiencing thoughts of suicide. The rising rate of suicide and attempted suicide is heartbreaking. Suicide is the 10th cause of death for all ages, and the No. 2 cause of death for ages 15-24. All funds raised for Hope for Life will go back into the Southern Maryland community. These funds will create more youth programs and support groups, or provide funeral expenses for families who recently lost a loved one to suicide and can't afford the cost.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, project goal $3,000
There are many veterans in Southern Maryland with a critical need. “Healing Those Who Serve” is a project to aid in the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is unique in that volunteers are teaching classes on an ongoing, long-term basis. For many participants, particularly disabled veterans, the socialization and camaraderie of the classes are just as important as the fishing outings.
St. Mary's Adult Day Care, project goal $1,500
The elderly and people with disabilities of St. Mary's County have a safe place to be during the day at St. Mary's Adult Day Care. This organization needs a wheelchair accessible bus to transport its clients to and from the day care center to receive services. The center also provides transportation to doctor's appointments, physical therapy, recreational activities and shopping. The bus is a critical part of operations, allowing the organization to serve St. Mary's residents and provide relief to families who are caring for aging parents or loved ones with disabilities.
LifeStyles of Maryland, project goal $5,000
Safe Nights is a united and compassionate response to serving the homeless in our community. It provides overnight shelter to individuals and families from October 1 to April 15 of each year. The program rotates to a different host site each week. Participants are provided with meals, cots, linens and toiletry items. Supportive services and enrichment activities are conducted nightly to encourage the journey towards self-sufficiency. Donations will help pay for 50 sturdy, heavy-duty cots for the homeless in the tri-county area.
Center for Children, project goal $5,000
Children who have been subjected to abuse urgently need help, not just for physical harm but also for damage to their mental health. As the largest provider of children's mental health services in Southern Maryland, the Center for Children serves 4,500 people every year. Crisis intervention, court advocacy and psychiatric testing are just some of the many critical services the center provides. Many parents cannot pay for the services and are without insurance. The center's project assures help to just such families. Donations can make a lasting difference in a child's life.
Humane Society of Charles County, project goal $2,500
Dogs at this shelter need long-term, loving families who know how to take care of them. To make that happen, a professional trainer is now on staff to work with pets and their future owners. Unfortunately, there is no space to conduct evaluations or counsel adoptive families. The trainer has been working in the parking lot, as potential adopters stand under the open tailgate of her minivan. A shed is a dire need, giving the trainer space to ensure successful adoptions. The structure requires siding, flooring, and other supplies?the Humane Society needs funding for all of these things.
The Southern Maryland Gives online portal is powered by Razoo and sponsored by the Nonprofit Institute at CSM. Any size donation is appreciated, but a minimum $10 donation is required to donate online.
Southern Maryland Gives supporters include Charles and St. Mary's county governments, Southern Maryland Oil, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Southern Maryland Publishing, The BayNet and the College of Southern Maryland.
For information about the Nonprofit Institute, visit www.csmd.edu/NonprofitInstitute. To view the latest projects or search local nonprofits to support, visit www.southernmarylandgives.org. For information on adding a local nonprofit to Southern Maryland Gives, visit http://southernmarylandgives.razoo.com/giving_events/smg/nptoolkit or email nonprofit@csmd.edu.
SIDEBAR
Southern Maryland Gives Encourages Philanthropy
for Local Projects on #GivingTuesday
As part of Maryland Gives More's efforts for Maryland to be considered the most generous state, Southern Maryland Gives is hosting two events on #GivingTuesday, Dec. 1 as opportunities for nonprofits, philanthropists, foundations, social entrepreneurs, businesses or volunteers to share stories and mingle with other people who are making a difference in Southern Maryland.
The gatherings will be in St. Mary's County, for lunch at The Front Porch, 22770 Washington Street, Leonardtown, from noon to 2 pm, Dec. 1, and networking from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Red Oak Bistro, 6390 Crain Highway, La Plata. Light refreshments will be served at each event; guests are asked to purchase any additional food/drinks.
On Dec. 1, consider a donation of $10 or more to any project on www.southernmarylandgives.org or at either event and be entered into a raffle to win a prize. For questions or to RSVP for either event, contact Megan Timmens at mtimmens@csmd.edu.