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Bring Family to Easter Egg Hunt Benefit April 2
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An Easter Egg Hunt fundraiser for Grassroots is set for Sunday, April 2, from 1-3 p.m., at the Kittleman Family Farm, 3021 Kittleman Lane in West Friendship. Realtor Lisa Kittleman of The Kittleman Group is a member of the Grassroots Board of Directors. The benefit includes a Petting Farm, games, and a Chocolate and Mimosa Bar. The egg hunt starts at 2 p.m. Admission is $25 per person, $50 per family. Sponsorships are $500 for Gold, $250 for Silver and $100 for Bronze and include a family pass. Register at grassrootsegghunt.eventbrite.com or write a check to Grassroots, 6700 Freetown Rd., Columbia, MD 21044.
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5K Run The Second Annual Light the Night 5K for Suicide Prevention is set for Friday, March 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Oakland Mills High School Track in Columbia. The event raises awareness and funds for suicide prevention. Proceeds go to both the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Maryland Chapter and Grassroots.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Maryland Chapter (AFSP), Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, Bullseye Running and the Howard County Department of Health are sponsors of the run. The 2023 event coordinator is runner Aubrey Heiges, a junior at River Hill High School.
Late registration is at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 6:30 p.m. The 5K run starts at 7 p.m. There will be activities for non-runners. Cash donations will be accepted at the event. For more information, including about sponsorships, contact Aubrey.Heiges@gmail.com.
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Empty Bowls The National Art Honor Society and Culinary Department at Hammond High School are hosting “Empty Bowls 2023,” a fundraiser for Grassroots, on Thursday, March 16, from 5-7 p.m., in the school cafeteria. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. Admission includes a hand-painted ceramic bowl, all-you-can-eat soup, bread and dessert. Hammond High School is located at 8800 Guilford Road in Columbia. For information, call 410-313-7615.
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Health Fair Grassroots will participate in the Community Health Fair presented by the Southeastern Howard Laurel Chapter of Continental Societies, Incorporated, a organization which seeks to meet the needs of the underserved by providing education and awareness of those conditions that disproportionately affect communities of color. The fair is April 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the North Laurel Community Center.
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Representatives from Grassroots took a tour of A Home of Our Own Howard. Pictured are (from l.) Melissa Fitzgibbon, Janelle Clements, Keisha Brown, Anna Katz, HOOO founder Betty Pearson, Paula Forman, Shawn Finnan and Sharon Fleece.
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They’re Turning Empty Space Into Homes
Grassroots depends upon the compassion and generosity of many individuals and organizations, among them a remarkable group, A Home of Our Own Howard, Inc. This nonprofit provides furniture and household items at no cost to individuals and families in Howard County who are transitioning from homelessness.
The brainchild of founder and president, Betty Pearson, HOOO is comprised of volunteers who originally gathered household furnishings for Grassroots clients who are moving out of the shelter into a place of their own. Today through a referral system, HOOO supports a dozen organizations working to end homelessness in Howard County.
HOOO accepts donated items and stores them in 17,000 square feet of space provided by Corporate Office Property Trust (COPT). When items are requested, they are delivered in a cargo van acquired with funds from a grant. The organization has 8 teams of volunteers: Client Care, Inventory, Transportation, Finance, Grants & Fundraising, Facilities, Communication, and Volunteer Coordination.
This worthy organization is looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in helping
transform empty spaces into homes, please contact www.homeofourownhoward.org.
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Volunteers from St. Paul Catholic Church brought a little Christmas cheer as they gathered food items during the holidays. Pictured are (from l.) Patrick Piet, team leader John Gilbert, Tim Hearn, Kat Tomczak and Tommy Przbyla.
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Team Support St. Paul Catholic Church in Ellicott City and its dedicated Howard County Community Volunteers have a long history of support for Grassroots through their contributions and service. The group held a dozen food drives at local grocery stores in 2022, collecting 20,000 food and toiletry items. The 30-member team, started in 2016, also helps with redistribution between several food pantries in the area and hands out food and other items to the needy every Sunday at multiple locations in Baltimore City. Thank you for your continued support.
Change Matters While the student philanthropy and community service campaign Change Matters was on hiatus during COVID, some schools and students are continuing to find ways to support Grassroots. Several girls at Centennial Lane Elementary School recently held a bake sale, raising $763, prompting a parent of another student to match the donation! Kudos to the girls and the generous supporter. If you have an idea for a student or school campaign, contact Kim Steffens, kimandtomsteffens@verizon.net.
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One of Grassroots’ generous supporters is Mark Underwood, Managing Partner of Seasons 52 in The Mall in Columbia. He and his team provide food and service for the annual Women Leaders for Grassroots benefit and the two Breakfast with Santa fundraisers. The Howard Hughes Corp. recently gave Mark two tickets to an upcoming concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion as a token of gratitude on Grassroots’ behalf.
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Crisis Stabilization Program Helps Those
With Substance Use Disorders
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Grassroots provides services to clients with substance use disorders, with an emphasis on those struggling with opioids and stimulants. Through its Crisis Stabilization Program, Grassroots assists clients in preparing for treatment and helps with plans for modifying, reducing and abstaining from use and moving toward greater health and wellness.
The Grassroots staff works with individuals to remove barriers to entering treatment and offers screening, assessment, brief interventions, counseling, referrals, withdrawal management and peer recovery support.
Grassroots is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is not necessary to make an appointment, and services are free. Grassroots is located at 6700 Freetown Road in Columbia. Call 410-531-6677 for immediate help.
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Are You a Friend of Grassroots?
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Are you a donor to Grassroots? Have you made a gift this year? Grassroots depends upon the generosity of individuals, organizations and businesses in the community to support its free services to people in crisis, to help provide the 24-7 hotline and suicide prevention efforts, round-the-clock personal counseling, Mobile Crisis Team, the shelter programs and other activities to help people achieve a positive resolution to their crisis situation. Please make a gift to Grassroots today. Any size gift is welcome. If you can afford $50 or more per month, consider joining The Friends of Grassroots who donate $600 or more per year. Thank you for your support.
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