The Southern Maryland Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. has been very busy this 2018-2019 programming year. On September 29th , we honored the legacy of Carole Robertson and the victims of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing through remembrance, education, friendship, and community service. Backpacks for food insecure children residing in Charles County, MD were filled by chapter youth and donated to The Arnold House.
In October, the annual “Taste of Southern Maryland” wine tour fundraiser was held. The fun filled event is one of the chapter’s signature fundraisers. Participants fill several buses touring the vineyards of Southern Maryland, while enjoying food and fellowship. The day’s festivities culminate with a scrumptious dinner and fun prizes. The starting and ending point for the tour this year was the Dunkirk Fire Station in Dunkirk, MD with 204 people registered and 181 in attendance. The tour visited Friday’s Creek Winery, Mulley’s Brewery, The Wheel/SOS, and Running Hare Vineyard. The wine tour was once again a successful event raising approximately $7,000 in funds. The following businesses were both financial and in-kind sponsors: SMECO, Erimax, Scientific and Commercial Systems Corporation, Stanley Martin, Mouth Party Candy, UTZ, Custom Media Options, Grand Canyon University, Texas Roadhouse, Silver Diner, and Giant Food Stores. Additional funds were raised through the sale of special wine tour logo cups and a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds raised went to the Charles County Children’s Aid Society and the Jack and Jill Foundation.
The Southern Maryland Chapter welcomed the holiday season by preparing and packaging meals for those in need at Food & Friends in Washington, DC. To continue the spread of good cheer, a community service component was added to the annual holiday party by sponsoring two children. Members donated gifts off the children’s Christmas wish list to make to the holiday merry and bright. 2019 kicked off with Chapter youth supporting Veterans at the Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home by hosting a game day and lunch. The children spent time getting to know the brave men and women who served the county by playing a variety of games and serving them lunch. The Southern Maryland Chapter also held a Black History program in February that highlighted the achievements of African-Americans at the Harriet Elizabeth Brown Community Center in Prince Frederick, MD. Attendees were led on a historical journey through time with interactive costumed re-enactments by Griot, Janice Curtis Greene. The tragedies and triumphs of African-American SHEROs who fought for human rights like Harriet Elizabeth Brown, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks were illustrated.
Community Service and giving are the cornerstones of the Southern Maryland Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Please join them April 13th, as they raise funds for the Charles County Children’s Aid Society at their annual “Heart and Sole 5k”. To learn more visit, www.somdjj.org and https://www.facebook.com/SoMDJJ.
