Rotary Club 'Lights of Kindness' Event Raises Money For 12 Charities

From the Rotary Club of South Anne Arundel County: The Rotary Club of South Anne Arundel County, held at Homestead Gardens, Dec 1 to 4, raised a total of $10,974 for the Rotary Club and for the 12 participating charities named by sponsoring businesses. The top three charities’ decorated trees based on public voting received special recognition. Funds will be used for these organizations' charitable programs.

The top three vote getters were the trees decorated by the Grants 4 Teachers program, by the Helping Hands from a Grateful Nation, and by St. Andrew's Food Pantry for the Hungry of South County.

In the case of Rotary Club, proceeds will benefit the 7-year-old food program that provides nourishing weekend food supplies to over 150 needy children in South Anne Arundel County during the school year. Food has been purchased, sorted, packed and distributed, with the cooperation of three elementary schools, Edgewater, Lothian, Shady Side, and Traceys, by a crew of volunteers and Rotary Club members. The program fills a gap for children that benefit from nutritious meals at the schools on weekdays during the school year but need help with weekend meals. At Rotary’s December 15 meeting the three charities receiving the most votes were recognized: (photos 1 & 2)

1. Balanced Life Skills sponsor Van Deuren chose the Grants 4 Teachers program to benefit from the contest--first place proceeds were $1,093. Grants 4 Teachers provides Anne Arundel County Public School System teachers with grants for their classrooms to create the best learning experience possible for the students.
2. John May of AMS Management Services, accepted the second place charitable contribution of $725 for the Helping Hands from a Grateful Nation program, a Special Project of the American Military Society
3. Rev. David Thayer of St. Andrew’s Methodist Church accepted third place proceeds of the contest, $707 to assist St. Andrew's with its Food Pantry for the Hungry of South County.

Charities winning the Lights of Kindness tree decorating contest were recognized by the Rotary Club of South Anne Arundel County December 15. From left are Rev. David Thayer accepted third place proceeds to assist St. Andrew's Methodist Church with its Food Pantry; John May of AMS Management Services, accepted the second place charitable contribution of $725 for the Helping Hands from a Grateful Nation program, and Joe Van Deuren, Balanced Life Skills sponsor, chose the Grants 4 Teachers program to benefit from the contest to provide teachers with grants for their classrooms to create the best learning experience possible.

Julie St. Marie, co-chair of the South County Rotary Club’s Lights of Kindness tree decorating contest Dec. 1 to 4, presents a check for the third place proceeds of the contest, $707 to Rev. David Thayer, to assist St. Andrew's Methodist Church with its Food Pantry for the Hungry of South County.

Photos courtesy of South County Rotary Club