Tag Archives: lend a hand

Lend a Hand: Nurse Finds Inspiration After Cancer Journey

As a longtime nurse in the intensive care unit and clinical education coordinator for University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton, Kim Brice, RN, knows the high level of care that is available to Mid-Shore residents close to home and family. She never knew just how good that care was however, until she began her own cancer journey. The Easton resident and mother of four was diagnosed with Advanced Stage IIIC ovarian cancer in the summer of 2012. From that moment on, she says she understood for the first time what many of her patients had gone through.

“I had always been healthy so I was fortunate that I had never received such a life-changing diagnosis before,” says Brice. “Now that I have been through my journey, I understand that ‘blank look’ you get after you receive unexpected news about your health and how it feels to suddenly be dependent on others to take care of you. I think that today, having been through that, I can relate better to them.”

While Brice’s ovarian cancer protocol was one that had never been performed at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s cancer center, the physicians and staff did not hesitate – and neither did Brice.

“It was a unique dose of chemotherapy with a unique port location but they never hesitated in offering me the option to get my treatments here,” says Brice, whose care was coordinated seamlessly between a designated nurse at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton and an oncology nurse at UM Shore Regional Health’s outpatient cancer. “They did an amazing job — no one should ever have to leave the Mid-Shore to get the care that they need. To be able to get those treatments close to home made a world of difference for me and my family.”

Now that Brice has completed her treatments and is one-year cancer free, she is finding new ways to give back to the community – and to the patients that she cares for.

“I understand how badly you feel after chemotherapy – how even the slightest movement around your port can be so painful,” says Brice. “When I see these patients in the ICU, I understand the extra emotional and physical needs that they have and can be a better nurse to them in the process.”

In addition to improving her nursing practice, one of the ways Brice plans to give back is to share her story of success with other cancer patients.

“They were amazing with my treatments,” adds Brice. “Everyone was in sync and went the extra mile to make sure I was getting the best possible care. I saw others that were getting care who were treated the same way – it wasn’t just because I was a fellow nurse. They are truly the best at what they do.”

Kim plans to participate in a 5K walk to benefit the Central Maryland Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition later this fall. Brice is raising funds and looking for teammates for the walk, which takes place on September 29.

“When you go through the kind of journey that I have been through and received the kind of care I have, you feel compelled to give back,” adds Brice. “I just want people to know the kind of services and people that we have right here on the Mid-Shore.”

Lend a Hand: “Claws for a Cause” Nets More than $24,000 for Emergency Center

Committee at Event (400 x 268)The University of Maryland Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown’s Event Committee recently hosted “Claws for a Cause,” a crab feast to benefit the Emergency Center’s emergency preparedness equipment fund. The event, held at Fisherman’s Crab Deck, had more than 150 attendees and netted over $24,000 for the Emergency Center from ticket sales and an auction. The auction featured 25 auction items donated by members of the committee and the local community, and included a kayak donated by Tri-Gas and Oil Co., Inc. and a trip to Belize donated by John McQueeney.

Sponsors of the event included Extra Large Blue Crab Sponsor, Bay Area Association of Realtors®, Inc.; Large Blue Crab Sponsor, Eastern Shore Emergency Medicine Physicians; and Medium Blue Crab Sponsors, CNB, Coldwell Banker Waterman Realty, Bobbie and Michael Cusimano, Friel Lumber Company, Pete and Diane Pappas, Queenstown Bank of Maryland, Tri-Gas and Oil Co., Inc., The Bay Times and Record Observer, and What’s Up? Magazine. Beer sponsors for the event were Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Kelly and Kelly Distributors. Wine was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Deoudes and Sen. and Mrs. E.J. Pipkin. Mr. and Mrs. Pete Pappas donated fresh fruit for dessert.

“I am so happy to see the enthusiastic and generous response to the crab feast benefiting the Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown,” comments Kathy Deoudes, Event Committee Co-Chair. “It is certainly a cause that resonates with citizens of Queen Anne’s County and surrounding areas.”

Open since October 2010, the UM Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown, located at 115 Shoreway Drive, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year to provide care to members of the community in need of treatment for acute illnesses, injuries and trauma as well as minor injuries. The Center also offers diagnostic and imaging services. Medical treatment at this UM Shore Regional Health location is provided by board certified emergency medicine physicians, experienced nurses, radiology technicians and medical technologists who are all on site 24 hours a day.

“Our staff takes great pride in the level of emergency care we have been able to provide the Queen Anne’s County community since the Emergency Center’s opening nearly three years ago,” comments Mary Alice Vanhoy, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NREMT-P, Nurse Manager for the Queen Anne’s Emergency Center. “The emergency medical services we provide our patients would not be possible without the continued support of the local community.”

Vanhoy continues, “Supporters of the recent ‘Claws for a Cause’ event, which benefited our emergency preparedness equipment fund, have helped to ensure that our staff can continue to provide our patients with the highest quality of care in the face of any unexpected event that may occur.”

For additional information about the University of Maryland Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown, visit www.shorehealth.org. To make a charitable donation, please contact the Memorial Hospital Foundation at 410-822-1000, extension 5763.

In photo: The University of Maryland Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown’s Event Committee recently raised more than $24,000 at the “Claws for a Cause” crab feast to benefit the Emergency Center. Committee members include (front row, left to right) Merry Tobin; Kathy Deoudes, Committee Co-Chair; Mary Alice Vanhoy, Emergency Center Nurse Manager; Alisa Pipkin; (back row) Julie McMahan Thomas; Bobbie Cusimano; Jennifer DiDonato; Andi Morony; and Diane Carlson.

Lend a Hand: Stanley Galkin… Part of a Legacy at Kent Island Federation of Arts

Where the Spirit of Volunteering and Art are Alive

Stanley_007 (225 x 205)“He believed in giving what he had to offer and wanted to be a part of the community. It was instinctual for him! He loved volunteering, his heart was huge!” -Marcie Galkin, Wife and Best Friend

In 2001, after retiring from a regional management position, Stanley Galkin decided to take what he had learned in the work world to the community by volunteering. He served on the board of directors for Hospice of Queen Anne’s; he was a reader at the local elementary schools; a volunteer at Our Haven Homeless Shelter; and, a member of the board and a volunteer at the Kent Island Federation of Arts where he discovered his passion for art.

Stanley took his first art class at KIFA from nationally recognized artist John Pringle. He continued to develop his skills by taking art classes in various mediums and genres. He studied and created art from impressionism to abstract to Asian using watercolors, oils and acrylics. Over the past decade, Stanley participated in nearly every monthly show at KIFA.

In addition to serving as a board member at KIFA, Stanley volunteered for nearly every committee and all activities. With his wife and best friend Marcie, he spent many hours fundraising, organizing student shows and children’s camps, recruiting instructors for art classes, creating press releases and organizing the office.

He met his great friend and artist David Murphy at KIFA. The two of them organized many art shows where a portion of the proceeds benefitted both KIFA and the Hospice of Queen Anne’s. Contributions may be made in Stanley’s name to Hospice of Queen Anne’s or to KIFA.

In honor of Stanley’s passing on July 26th at the age of 82, a solo show of his many works of art will be on display in January, February and March 2014 at The Chesapeake Heritage Center located at 425 Piney Narrows Road at the Kent Narrows. His work also may be viewed online at www.stanleygalkin.com.

To volunteer your time and skills and become a part of the KIFA legacy, contact KIFA at 410-643-7424 or visit their website at www.kifa.us. Help to keep KIFA and art in our community alive by becoming a volunteer today.

Lend a Hand: HQA’s Sunset Celebration Set For August 24

Sunset organizers (400 x 300)A waterfront party on Kent Narrows with a scrumptious buffet, silent auction, raffles and entertainment are just a few of the highlights planned for the Hospice of Queen Anne’s 2013 Sunset Celebration set for Aug. 24 from 6-10 p.m. at Fisherman’s Crab Deck in Grasonville.

If Bermuda shorts and sandals are part of your preferred summer wardrobe, then this party is for you!

“People look forward to this event all year, where they can be relaxed and casual and have a great time while helping raise funds for Hospice of Queen Anne’s,” said Kenda Leager, HQA development officer.

An exciting addition to this year’s event is the announcement of the winner of the Jeep raffle. A 1988 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4 X 4 in pristine condition was donated anonymously to Hospice of Queen Anne’s. Only 300, $50 raffle tickets are being sold. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Sunset Celebration and the name announced.

“The community’s support through events like the Sunset Celebration and other fundraising opportunities is so important because it enables Hospice of Queen Anne’s to continue to provide the highest quality, compassionate care for patients and grief support for their families and the community,” said Kathy Deoudes, vice chair of the HQA Board of Directors and chair of the Development Committee.

Care is given based solely on need, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Continued community support has made it possible for Hospice of Queen Anne’s to cover unfunded room and board expenses in the Hospice Center and grief services and support programs for hospice families and the community for which there is no other form of funding.

Sponsorship and event information may be obtained online at www.hospiceofqueenannes.org and click on “Sunset Celebration.” Event tickets are $65 each and Jeep raffle tickets are $50 each. Both event and raffle tickets may be purchased from Hospice of Queen Anne’s by contacting Kenda Leager at 443-262-4106 or kleager@hospiceofqueenannes.org.

In photo: Hospice of Queen Anne’s 2013 Sunset Celebration event organizers  include from left, Heather Guerieri, Kenda Leager, Kathy Deoudes and Teresa Baumann.

Lend a Hand: Estate Treasures’ 50’s Event Raises Funds For HQA

girls and alan in car (400 x 268)Volunteers of Estate Treasures, Hospice of Queen Anne’s upscale resale shop, recently raised $2,200 at a special event and sale, “Lost in the 50’s,” which featured 50 percent off all purchases and raffles, music, milkshakes, penny candy and 50’s memorabilia.

In addition to proceeds from what is sold in the shop, Estate Treasures also holds several fundraising events each year, like the Fashion Show and Luncheon held in October. All the funds raised remain in the community and directly benefit Hospice of Queen Anne’s.

“Although we host several fundraising events every year, they are held off site. We wanted to do something fun that would show off the new look of the shop and raise funds for hospice at the same time,” said Linda Sheets, co-manager of Estate Treasures and one of the event organizers.

The shop, which is operated totally by volunteers, features gently worn fine clothing, career and formal apparel, fashion accessories, jewelry, home furnishings and small antiques. Items are accepted for donation during normal business hours.

Estate Treasures is located in Chester at 17 Kent Towne Market. Hours are Monday to Friday 10 a.m. -4:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. -4 p.m., and Thursdays until 7 p.m.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities with Hospice of Queen Anne’s and Estate Treasures, visit the website at www.hospiceofqueenannes.org. Or you may call 443-262-4100 for additional information.

In photo: Pictured clockwise from left, are Estate Treasures’ volunteers Linda Sheets, Marty Wash, Renie Madonna, Karen Himes and Alan Hais seated in Hais’ pristine 1953 Buick.

Lend a Hand: YES-IMALIVE Youthline Eastern Shore

Articles 7-24 010 (400 x 267)Four thousand young people die by suicide every year in the U.S. For every youth death by suicide, it is estimated that 100 to 200 attempts are made that require hospitalization, but that do not end in death. In our area alone, it is reported that there are 20 suicides each year for every 100,000 people. The Bay Bridge contributes to the fact that our area has one of the highest suicide rates in the state.

YES-IMALIVE was founded in 2012 to help youth living on the Eastern Shore address their problems through confidential peer hotline and crisis chat support. It is a program of the Kristin Brooks Hope Center (KBHC), a non-profit organization founded in 1998 by Reese Butler and dedicated to suicide prevention, intervention and healing. Reese has been on a personal crusade ever since the suicide of his wife Kristin from Postpartum Depression in April 1998. His mission for the past 11 years has been to offer HOPE and the option to LIVE to those in deepest emotional pain.

KBHC is a key stakeholder in the Queen Anne’s County Suicide Prevention Committee, QPR Institute, PostSecret, QAC Community Partnerships for Children and Families, the QAC Public School System and the QAC Anti Bullying Committee. The Youthline Eastern Shore is the first teen peer hotline created with the goal to eliminate suicide and suicide attempts.

The KBHC call center and the chat line operate 18 hours daily from 6 am to 2 am and plan on becoming a 24/7 operation by September 2013. There are 20 call center volunteers who are a part of the National Hopeline network that consists of 200 crisis centers nationwide. In addition to the Youthline, the Hopeline Network features many other help lines including PPDMOMS dedicated to Postpartum Depression (PPD), a common depression affecting 1 in 10 new moms.

Victoria Doyle, Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator for the Kristin Brooks Hope Center, says it was by chance that she became involved in the Youthline. She visited the center’s opening to meet an author she admired by the name of Frank Warren and ended up following a completely unexpected path. With an education in Psychology and Youth Studies, Victoria never dreamed she would be running a suicide crisis hotline, but now can’t imagine doing anything else. Victoria strongly feels that she has professionally and personally found her passion!

YES-IMALIVE The Youthline Eastern Shore is looking for volunteers with a passion from age 15 to 100. Today, their youngest volunteer is 15 years old and their oldest is 76. Volunteers devote four or more hours per week to the center. They first undergo a four to six week training program that consists of 60 hours of training in crisis intervention and peer counseling and several hours of mentoring by a senior volunteer. The basic requirement for a volunteer is that you must be passionate and open minded about helping people. It is cautioned that the work is not for the weak of heart!

If volunteering doesn’t appeal to you, you can help in many other ways. Monetary donations are always welcome; or, you can sponsor training materials for one volunteer or support an entire Youthline shift, generally comprised of five people!

Victoria Doyle is actively seeking volunteers! An Open House is being held on Monday, July 29th from 6-8 pm at the Center located at 411 Log Canoe Circle in the Stevensville Business Park across from PRS Guitars. For more information contact Victoria at 443-249-3125, info@yesiamalive.org or www.yesimalive.org. Victoria and volunteers from YES-IMALIVE! will be at the Kent Island Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival at Kent Island High School though Saturday, July 27th from 6 pm to close.

Spread the word. Tell your friends and family about Youthline, its services and its need; a life may depend on it. If you are thinking about suicide, call 1-877-YOUTHLINE (968-2454) or 1-800-784-2433. If you or someone you know is currently in danger, dial 911 immediately.

In photo: Victoria Doyle, Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator of YES-IMALIVE Youthline Eastern Shore, and her Husband Michael Doyle, volunteer and 5th Grade Teacher at Kennard Elementary School in Centreville.

Lend a Hand: Celebrating Pugs

Buddy and Tammy (300 x 400)Tammy Darrow is the founder of Celebrating Pugs, a non-profit rescue organization she started 8 years ago in Greensboro on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The organization currently has three chapters in three other states including California,Texas and Georgia. It is a network of wonderful people working together for the common goal of rescuing at risk dogs and animals. She says it was necessary to branch out nationally because of the high cost of transporting the animals. Celebrating Pugs currently has 35 Pugs and mixed breeds in 10 active foster homes throughout the Delmarva area and has had 100’s in foster care throughout the United States. What once started as solely a Pug rescue organization is now open to all dogs and animals in need. Currently, 50% of their rescues are other breeds. Dogs are usually adopted within 1 year of rescue.

One of her favorite rescue and adoption stories is about a Puggle named Buddy! Celebrating Pugs was working in conjunction with “Pilots and Paws,” a non-profit that provides transport for rescue animals. Buddy was located at a high kill shelter in Dallas Texas where animals are usually euthanized within 3 days, if no successful adoption is made. Buddy was sure not to be adopted because he had heart worms and was in need of eye surgery. Celebrating Pugs agreed to rescue Buddy and provide him with his needed medical surgeries. Three different pilots with “Pilots and Paws”on a three leg relay flight transported Buddy from Texas to Louisiana to North Carolina and finally to Maryland’s Easton Airport, where Tammy Darrow received Buddy and found him the medical services he needed. Once recovered, Buddy took the same three pilot relay flight back down to Texas and was adopted by the pilot and his wife that assisted him on the first leg of his trip up and last leg back. David and Diane Dunkle of Texas are Buddy’s proud new parents! It is just one of the many wonderful moments and successful rescues Tammy has felt blessed to be a part of.

Adoption fees range form $250- $350 per adoption and that includes the animal’s complete vetting, including shots, spaying or neutering, and a complete temperament testing and evaluation. It also includes background checks to make sure a particular animal is adopted and matched with an appropriate family and all of its past transportation and boarding fees are included in the adoption fees.

In addition to rescuing dogs, Celebrating Pugs has an owner surrender program that not only places animals in foster care but also helps to keep dogs and their owners together through free medical services and a doggy food pantry.

Celebrating Pugs is staffed completely by volunteers and operates solely on donations. Please consider donating to this cause. Every dollar donated goes to the rescue and vetting of needy dogs. They are constantly in need of fosters and goods to help in their rescue efforts. Currently they are in need of building materials, chain link fence, outdoor kennels, dog houses, towels (new or gently used), blankets (new or gently used), dog toys, dog treats, leashes, collars, harnesses, crates, buckets (new), bleach, Lysol, raw hides, food dishes, and all forms of dog food. However, because they receive many dogs with food allergies, they are regularly in need of Taste of the Wild or Blue Buffalo with no corn or poultry.

If you know of a Pug or other breed of dog that needs rescue or if you would like to become involved or adopt a dog in foster care, contact Tammy Darrow at 410-714-3677 or contact@celebratingpugs.com. For more information, you can also visit their website at www.celebratingpugs.com. Celebrating Pugs has recently been recognized as a 2013 ADOPT-A-PET. com Approved Shelter.

Lend a Hand: Melissa’s Blog

Hi everyone, just an update:

For those wondering, I just wanted to give a little update as to how I am since I haven’t written in a while.

I have been sick with a bacterial infection and then bronchitis! Fun stuff. So I haven’t been on top of anything, including my workouts. To be honest, my motivation for things hasn’t been great either. Everyday is different, sometimes I read something and see all the people that think about me and pray for me and donate things to me and it’s so amazingly helpful. That’s when I tell myself, “Okay, it’s time to step it up. Look at all the help I have, I a,m so blessed for that.” It makes me feel so empowered and strong. Then I have mornings like this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday, where I woke up crying everyday and was feeling bad physically too. How I was feeling mentally was keeping me in bed and feeling so lethargic. It’s been a rough couple of weeks. Things are getting a little more real as I haven’t been walking for a year (this month). I feel like I should be accepting this better, but I swear that lately it feels a little worse! I am really missing being at Kennedy Krieger for physical therapy, the workouts, the people around me, my physical therapist and just the overall mood of the place. It’s really such a great place! Love it there!

Starting next week, I will be going a couple of days a week for occupational therapy to learn new ways for everyday life “things” like cooking, showering and so on. While I’m there, I’m also going to try using the standing frames they have. My insurance denied me for the much-needed standing frame. It is the only way I get to put all my weight on my legs to prevent more blood clots in my legs and keep my muscles and bones stronger.

I recently found out that I have something called Osteopenia in my left elbow, which basically means my bones aren’t getting enough blood flow and are dying out. It is so very painful! The doctor gave me a Cortisone shot to help me be able to move my arm a little bit more, but the doctor thinks that the bone loss is connected to the large doses of steroids I’ve had in the last two years for my lungs and Transverse Myelitis. It’s so crazy how all these medicines have these potential intense, rare side effects that you don’t really learn about until they happen to you. I do ask questions about side effects, but without the chemo, radiation and bone marrow transplant, I would have died in six months or less. So I had to have them, right? Some of these things could have had something to do with the Transverse Myelitis, BUT if I didn’t do all these things that seem like poison to me, THEN I may not be here typing this and sharing my story with you.

I have mentioned before that I would be in nursing school right now if it weren’t for the Transverse Myelitis. I am meeting with the director of the program to discuss my “options.” I am so scared and nervous! What if it just isn’t physically possible for me anymore and is just a crushed dream instead? I’ve always gotten what I wanted ONLY because I have always worked so incredibly hard to meet every goal I set for myself. This one I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish because I can’t walk. It doesn’t seem fair. Do you guys think I can do it??? They have been holding my spot for three semesters now, first while I fought through Lymphoma and then when TM set in. I fear driving to school alone, getting my wheelchair stuck and falling, getting shut outside of a door that I can’t open, dropping all my books or even peeing myself because TM has taken the regular use of my bladder away. I’m sharing all my biggest fears right now! They’re probably aren’t many people who are reading this with a spinal cord injury and especially not with Transverse Myelitis, but if there is one person who gets any kind of help or encouragement, then I am more than happy to share my thoughts and fears. I hope I can help or motivate one person to feel a little better or just know that I am here fighting too. It may not seem like it today, it certainly doesn’t for me, but I know in my heart that there is a special place for us fighters and we were meant to help others fight too. I was meant to be on this Earth to fight for me and others, to inspire anyone I can, to help as many as I can in any way I can. It’s not everyday I feel I have a purpose and I may not be even feeling that today, but it’s true.

Like I said, we all have terrible days and don’t always think we can conquer the world, but then there are days that we feel like we can and we do! Thanks for listening to me ramble. If you have any questions, comments or need an ear, I am always here

Thanks everyone!! All my love,
Melissa

Lend a Hand: “Claws for a Cause” to Benefit Queen Anne’s Emergency Center

Committee at Crab Deck (400 x 375)The Queen Anne’s Emergency Center Event Committee is gearing up for its next fundraiser, “Claws for a Cause,” a crab feast to benefit the Queen Anne’s Emergency Center’s (QAEC) disaster preparedness needs.

Open since October, 2010, the Queen Anne’s Emergency Center, located at 115 Shoreway Drive in Queenstown, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year to provide care to members of the community in need of treatment for acute illnesses, injuries and trauma as well as minor injuries. The QAEC also offers diagnostic and imaging services. Medical treatment at this Shore Health location is provided by board certified emergency medicine physicians, experienced nurses, radiology technicians and medical technologists who are all on site 24 hours a day.

The “Claws for a Cause” event will be held on Thursday, July 11 from 6 pm to 9 pm at Fisherman’s Crab Deck in Grasonville. Tickets, which are $90 in advance or $100 at the door, will include a traditional crab feast and a buffet of fried chicken, pulled pork barbeque and an assortment of side dishes. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a 50/50 raffle and basket raffles. Singer/songwriter Chris Sacks will entertain with a performance from 7 to 9 pm.

Event participants will have a chance to bid on prizes including a four-day/three-night vacation for two to the Belizean Shores Resort, located on the exotic island of Ambergris Caye, Belize in Central America. The beach villa, donated by John McQueeney, has a separate master bedroom, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, dining and living area, and a terrace.

“The Queen Anne’s Emergency Center staff takes great pride in the level of emergency care that we have been able to provide the Queen Anne’s County community since the Center’s opening nearly three years ago, comments Mary Alice Vanhoy, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NREMT-P, Nurse Manager for the Queen Anne’s Emergency Center. “The emergency medical services we provide our patients would not be possible without the continued support of the local community.”

“The Emergency Center wants to be fully prepared in the event that our community experiences any type of disaster or weather event like that of the recent Hurricanes Irene and Sandy,” adds Vanhoy. “Supporters of the ‘Claws for a Cause’ event, which will benefit our all-hazards disaster preparedness efforts, will help to ensure that our staff can continue to provide our patients with the highest quality of care in the face of any unexpected event that may occur.”

Sponsorship opportunities are available at the following levels: Jumbo Blue Crab, $10,000; Extra Large Blue Crab, $5000; Large Blue Crab, $2500; Medium Blue Crab, $1000. “Pier signs” printed with your company name and logo and displayed at the event, are available for $100.

Sponsors for the event include, Bay Area Association of Realtors, Extra Large Blue Crab Sponsor; Eastern Shore Emergency Medicine Physicians, LLC, Large Blue Crab Sponsor; Coldwell Banker Waterman Realty, Friel Lumber, Pete and Diane Pappas, and Michael and Bobbie Cusimano, Medium Blue Crab Sponsors.

For more information about “Claws for a Cause” sponsorship opportunities or purchasing tickets, contact Joanna Pierce, Memorial Hospital Foundation, at jpierce@shorehealth.org or call (410)822-1000, extension 5481.

In photo: “Claws for a Cause” Event Committee members include (front row, left to right) Mary Alice Vanhoy; Bobbie Cusimano; Merry Tobin; Pat O’Shea; (back row) Julie McMahan Thomas; Kathy Deoudes, Committee Chair; and Diana Carson.

 

 

Lend a Hand: Girl Scout Leaders…Why do we do it? Because WE are the VERY BEST ROLE MODELS for Our Daughters!

100_6841 (240 x 161)Recently, a Troop led by Andrea Forstell built Osprey Platforms at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) in Grasonville as a service learning project, as a result of the project the girls were able to fly up to their next level and become Junior Girl Scouts. However, the project was more than just an task for advancement. The girls learned invaluable skills of carpentry and gained knowledge of ecology and wildlife, that will stay with them throughout their lifetime. Andrea says, “The gifts that Girl Scout Volunteers share with the girls are gifts of empowerment and knowledge that they aren’t getting in other places in their lives today and that they need,” She and other volunteers like her believe nothing could bring more satisfaction to your life than that!

Volunteers like Andrea Forstell, who has a daughter in Girl Scouts, became involved initially because she did not want her daughter to suffer the same fate as her many years ago. When Andrea was a youth her scouting days ended abruptly when her troop dissolved as a result of a lack of volunteer manpower. Today Andrea is a troop leader and assists the Service Team in coordinating and recruiting other leaders in Queen Anne’s County.

The Girl Scouts of Queen Anne’s County recently hosted a tea and craft event to recruit new volunteers for the 2013-2014 scouting year. Queen Anne’s County has over 350 Girl Scouts in 49 troops spread across the county and continues to grow larger. Girl Scouting could not exist without the support and commitment of adults who share their time and talents to help girls build courage, confidence and character. Even small commitments of time can make a big difference in the life of a girl. While some volunteers become troop leaders, others visit established Girl Scout troops to share information about a passion or hobby. Still other volunteers assist with the administrative tasks necessary to keep troops running or help with organizing county-wide Girl Scouting events.

If you would like more information about becoming a Girl Scout volunteer in Queen Anne’s County, please call Robin Lansinger at 410-758-5424 or email at troop585@toadmail.com.