Rotary Club’s Grants Day Supports 29 Community Organizations

Twenty-nine local community organizations received program and project grant awards from the Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent (RCCP) at the annual Grants Day on June 13. The awards, supported by fund-raising activities throughout the year, are part of Rotary’s focus on community service and commitment to giving back.

A club committee considers applications for RCCP grants based on merit. Applications must be sponsored by a club member in good standing. Grants Day checks were presented by club president Karen Mosel and Mark Stoner, chair of the club’s Charitable Trust. This latest round of grants totaled $55,000 and went to:

Athletes Serving Athletes - helps athletes with disabilities to participate in running activities. Our grant goes toward paying race registration fees.

Autism Society of Maryland - to educate the community about water safety and wandering prevention, encouraging everyone to Call 911 first before they search for a missing child.

Blossoms of Hope – for the Seeds of Hope mental health program to create dedicated respite areas for students’ calming and self-regulation.

Chapter AF, Philanthropic Educational Organization – to support Howard County-based scholarships for exceptional women to begin or to continue to attain their post-secondary education.

Community Action Council - for the Howard County Summer Enrichment Program and family engagement picnic.

Dr. Bikoi Foundation – for the "Ask Dr. Bikoi" project that aims to improve awareness and education on oral health in underserved communities.

Equipment Connections for Children – for creation of an adaptive toy library and to support the Equipment Donation Program to refurbish and store items until requested by families.

Fueling Dragons (HCC Educational Foundation) – to contribute to the cost of providing meals to students with limited resources.

Gilchrist Hospice Care – for the Comfort Corner Project providing a safe and nurturing place for minors when visiting patients at Gilchrist.

Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center – to support a 24 hour food and hygiene pantry at the crisis services center in Howard County.

Highland House for Women - support of transportation costs associated with operating a facility for women in need due to pregnancy, addiction and homelessness.

Hills to Climb – for an at-risk youth summer camp at no cost to families to create reflective outdoor experiences, nurturing self-awareness, confidence and leadership.

Howard County Conservancy – to provide materials and structural equipment for the Nature Preschool's Natural Play Space.

Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Foundation – this is part of our continuing commitment toward the hospital’s Emergency Department Behavioral Unit serving up to 24 patients for safer, more healing health.

James Place – to help fund substance abuse disorder recovery housing grants covering move-in fees and approximately two weeks rent.

Just Living Advocacy – this money will help JLA to include hygiene care in its annual back to school backpack program.

Maryland State Dental Association – for oral health products (toothbrushes, floss, etc.) for Give Kids a Smile and other upcoming oral health outreach events.

National Alliance on Mental Illness – for nationally-known “Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Education” training programs offered to Howard County residents at no charge.

Neighbor Ride – support for the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Community Care Team Partnership that refers patients to Neighbor Ride so they stayed connected to healthcare.

Prepare for Success – the grant will help provide school supplies for Maryland School for the Deaf students.

Rebuilding Together Howard County – to continue a survey of homeowners who’ve had their dwellings repaired or renovated by this volunteer group.

Respite Retreats – for the ReTreat Yourself Program offering comfort, encouragement and emotional support to individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.

Silhouette Stages – to help fund state of the art audio and visual theatrical equipment used in community theater productions.

Sobar – to support the Sobar Secure Program for offering healthy, innovative choices for consumers who cannot or choose not to drink alcohol at restaurants or events.

The 1 x 1 Project - to purchase herbs supporting a shop that helps families learn how to eat healthy, because that translates into good health, especially for those with autoimmune conditions like diabetes.

TURNaround Tuesday – support to expand a program to prepare, train, and connect unemployed and underemployed citizens to living wage jobs and build a vibrant public life.

The Ulman Foundation – for support of the Cancer to 5K fitness program for cancer survivors and volunteers who run, creating a sense of community support for young adults ages 15 to 39.

Voices for Children - to provide pre-service training for new volunteers as Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused or neglected children.

Winter Growth – for replacement of specialized games and activity supplies that stimulate the senses of older adults living with dementia in Winter Growth’s Memory Care and Adult Day programs.

Columbia-Patuxent Rotary has given over $82,000 in local contributions to help meet community needs throughout the year. The club is the largest and most active of Howard County’s seven Rotary clubs.