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Looking for a way to help others in your community during this New Year’s week? Consider contributing some money or your time to Gaithersburg HELP, a critical part of the local safety net — which, given the current economic conditions, is likely seeing its resources stretched to the limit.

The following is taken from Gaithersburg HELP’s general brochure (PDF format — perfect for downloading, printing, and handing out to your neighbors). They also have a volunteer opportunities brochure available online.

Note that, in addition to calling the phone numbers and sending mail to the address listed below, according to their donations page you can also give to Gaithersburg HELP right now, online, via Just Give.

WHAT IS Gaithersburg HELP?

In 1968, the faith community of Gaithersburg recognized that emergencies happen quickly and government assistance takes time. To meet these immediate needs, congregations of churches and synagogues formed Gaithersburg HELP to provide short-term assistance in a coordinated fashion.

Now more than 25 congregations join in this network to help neighbors in the greater Gaithersburg community. Gaithersburg HELP also receives substantial support from private individuals, local businesses, and civic organizations.

All services are provided by a network of more than 200 volunteers, who work together in a common concern for others as an expression of love for their neighbors. As part of their ministry, Gaithersburg HELP volunteers provide listening, referral, and advocacy services.

Gaithersburg HELP collaborates with other agencies, such as the Upper Montgomery Assistance Network, to provide financial and other supports needed.

Each year, Gaithersburg HELP provides emergency assistance to more than 3,000 families in the Gaithersburg area. As the community continues to grow, so too do the demands on Gaithersburg HELP.

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Ways to Contribute to Gaithersburg HELP

• Volunteer Opportunities
• Leadership
• Telephone Screening
• Pantry
• Driver
• Program Management
• Administration

To volunteer call 301-216-2510 and leave a message in Box 6

• Donate Non-Perishable Food
  Contact your school, congregation or workplace to see if they collect food for Gaithersburg HELP or call us at 301-216-2510. Consider organizing a food drive at work, school, or other organization.
• Participate in Fundraising Events
  Join in the Help the Homeless Walk, the Crop Walk, or Thanksgiving in February, all of which support Gaithersburg HELP.
• Contribute Money
  Funds are used to provide perishable food, supplement food donations, contribute to Upper Montgomery Assistance Network for housing needs, and to provide other financial assistance and emergency medications. Direct financial contributions may be made to:

Gaithersburg HELP
431 N. Frederick Ave, Suite 105
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Or you can designate through United Way/CFC #8432

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What Gaithersburg HELP does for those in need

• FOOD: HELP provides a three-day supply of food based on family size from our local food pantry by appointment.
• INFANT NEEDS: HELP provides diapers and infant formula for short- term emergencies.
• PRESCRIPTIONS: HELP assists with emergency medical needs such as medicines.
• TRANSPORTATION: HELP assists with transportation to medical appointments and social service agencies.
• OTHER FINANCIAL NEEDS: HELP considers other emergency needs on a case by case basis to help families over a short period crisis.
• SUPPORT AND REFERRAL: HELP listens and offers guidance to identify other resources that clients may access during the stress and confusion of an emergency. This includes referrals for rent, utility bills, clothing, and furniture needs

To get help call 301-216-2510 and leave a message in the appropriate box

From the volunteer opportunities brochure:

LEADERSHIP ROLES

• Assistant Executive Directors provide back up to the Executive Director and take on specific areas of program management as needed.
• Delegates serve as representatives of member congregations on the Board of Directors.
• Financial Manager handles banking and bills, prepares budgets and reports, and maintains records.

TELEPHONE SCREENING

Work from one to five days a month returning phone messages from home.

• Food Coordinators work 1-2 days per month handling requests for food, scheduling pick-ups and entering data on laptop computer.
• Bilingual Volunteers work 2-4 days a month returning calls to Spanish speaking clients and coordinating the delivery of the requested assistance with the appropriate volunteers.
• Prescription/Financial Coordinators work one day a week handling requests for help with prescriptions or other financial assistance.
• Transportation Coordinators work one week per month handling requests for transportation, finding volunteer drivers or arranging for taxi service.
• Infant Needs Coordinators work one or more days a week responding to requests for diapers and formula.

PANTRY

Work once a month or as needed in various jobs at the Food Pantry.

• Property Manager manages the pantry space monitoring maintenance and arranging for repairs as needed.
• Pantry Workers prepare food packages for pick up by clients based on information provided by Food Coordinators.
• Pantry Organizers inventory, sort, and shelve food at the pantry.
• Stock Coordinators assist Pantry Chair with ordering and picking up supplies for the pantry.

DRIVERS

Work as needed or one afternoon or evening per month delivering food or transporting clients.

• Transportation Drivers work as needed to drive clients to weekday medical or social service appointments in the local area.
• Food Drivers go to the pantry and package food to deliver to homebound clients.

ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS

Help keep the organization running effectively by assisting with clerical and administrative functions.

• Publicity Coordinator prepares flyers, press releases, and brochures for distribution to the media and the community at large to publicize events and educate the public about the mission of Gaithersburg HELP.
• Roster Coordinator prepares the mailing of our monthly Volunteer Roster.
• Newsletter Coordinator prepares the mailing of our semi-annual Newsletter.
• Alternate Secretary attends meetings of the Board or Executive Committee to record minutes when the regular secretary is not able to attend the meeting.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Various opportunities to coordinate specific program areas or events in a leadership role.

• Grant Writers help complete Grant applications and investigate fund raising opportunities.
• Transportation Assistant helps supervise proper functioning of the Transportation program.
• Youth Coordinator supervises youth volunteers in various activities.
• Volunteer Coordinator screens volunteer applicants, refers for appropriate positions, prepares recruitment materials and public service announcements and handles volunteer issues.
• Latino Providers Liaison represents Gaithersburg HELP at the Latino Providers meetings and communicates relevant information to our Executive Committee and Bilingual Volunteers.
• Thanksgiving in February Volunteers solicit restaurants in the summer and early fall to participate in this county-wide fundraiser.
• Mini-walk Coordinators organize mini-walks in the local schools and congregations as part of the fall Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Walk.
• Volunteer Recognition Event Planners assist with events to honor our volunteers.
• Food Drive Coordinator solicits food drives at schools, businesses, and other community organizations.
• United Way/CFC Coordinator organizes efforts to increase our United Way/CFC participation and represents us at agency events.

I think they mean “last gift” as in the last gift for the year, not last in any other sense…

From the City’s website:

Residents Urged to “Give One Last Gift” at Holiday Giving Fair and Blood Drive on December 30
Posted 11/21/2008

The City of Gaithersburg, nonprofit organizations and Inova Blood Donor services invites the entire community to explore ways to help others this holiday season at the City of Gaithersburg Giving Fair and Blood Drive on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Casey Community Center, 810 S. Frederick Ave. 

The Giving Fair will feature a variety of nonprofit organizations that will be on  hand to share information and resources on a wide range of services.  The end of the year is the perfect time to consider a tax deductible charitable contribution, but there are countless other needs that could benefit from your time and talent as well.  Explore how you can get involved and make a difference in your community.

The need for blood reaches critical levels during the holiday season.  Residents are encouraged to give the ultimate gift of life at the blood drive.  To schedule an appointment, call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (256-6372) or simply drop by the Giving Fair and Blood Drive between 2 and 7 p.m.

For more information on please contact the Gaithersburg Division of Community Services at 301-258-6395 x4 or email communityservices@gaithersburgmd.gov.

The good people at Gaithersburg HELP asked if I could post the following. Please do what you can to help them out; they are a critical part of the safety net in Gaithersburg:

Gaithersburg HELP, which in 2008 is celebrating 40 years of “Neighbor Helping Neighbor”, provides emergency food, prescription and transportation assistance to Gaithersburg area residents. HELP is an all volunteer organization with no paid employees. A significant increase in the number of families seeking assistance, coupled with the increased cost of food, is causing a strain on the resources of Gaithersburg HELP. Through May 31, 2008, food assistance to residents is up 42% compared to the same period in 2007, with over 5,200 people in 1,300 families receiving assistance so far this year. The organization greatly appreciated the Food Drive conducted by the Diamond Farms Post Office in May, 2008, which resulted in the donation of over 130 Postal bins of food. All of the canned goods collected by the Postal Service have already been distributed to needy families.

At present HELP is purchasing increased amounts of food to meet the extraordinary demand for food assistance caused by current economic conditions. With the school summer vacation, additional need is anticipated since low income children will not be receiving the subsidized breakfast and lunches that they get in school on a daily basis. Donations of non-perishable food and money are especially needed during the summer months as there are fewer church and business sponsored Food Drives.

Businesses interested in holding a food drive or individuals who wish to donate food can call 301-216-2510, ext. 4 for information or email GaithersburgHELP@yahoo.com.

Donations by check should be mailed to:

Gaithersburg HELP
431 N. Frederick Ave, Suite 105
Gaithersburg MD 20877

• Chris Robinson writes, Pricey perks on the chopping block

  As Gaithersburg debates a new travel policy, a Gazette review of submitted travel expenses over the last five years has found that city taxpayers have paid a number of costs that could be deemed extravagant, including one $95 meal for which for Assistant City Manager Fred Felton left a $70 tip in 2005.

  I have to say that I continue to have difficulty working up any ire over this issue. While I don’t think that anyone thinks there shouldn’t be an explicit policy on travel and reimbursement, I also don’t belive that the Mayor and Council have been compensated out of proportion to the value of time and effort they, as a group, contribute to the City.

• Steve Berberich writes, MedImmune to stay in Gaithersburg

  After the deal closes in June, AstraZeneca will provide MedImmune employees a ‘‘one-time retention grant,” stipulating salary and other compensation, said Emily Denney, an AstraZeneca spokeswoman.

  MedImmune will keep its name and remain headquartered in Gaithersburg, Denney said. The company’s recent commitment to build manufacturing plants in Frederick was a key provision of the deal with AstraZeneca.

  Another key provision is to ‘‘retain MedImmune employees and its culture,” said Denney, who did not elaborate.

• Chris Robinson writes, Asbury Methodist looks expand its Gaithersburg campus

  The Planning Commission unanimously approved a preliminary site plan April 18 allowing a low-density development of courtyard-style duplexes on Asbury’s north end near Odendhal Avenue between Lost Knife and Goshen roads.

  A final site plan is expected to be submitted in June or July and then heard by city officials, said L. Andrew Morgan, Asbury director of sales and marketing.

• Janel Davis writes, Community Ministry celebrates 10 years of giving

  Camilla O. McRory and Thomas M. Sherman say the countless hours they put in with Community Ministry of Montgomery County do not make them heroes, simply everyday citizens helping people who have fallen on hard times.

  Community Ministry begs to differ, and on Friday morning the nonprofit will honor McRory and Sherman at its 10th annual corporate breakfast. McRory will receive the agency’s Humanitarian of the Year award, and Sherman will be named Volunteer of the Year.

  Through the work of the staff and volunteers, Community Ministry operates programs such Sophia House, an emergency women’s shelter services in Silver Spring; clothing centers in Rockville and Gaithersburg; and a ‘‘Friends in Action” mentoring program. The programs earned the organization a four-star, or exceptional, rating for the third consecutive year from Charity Navigator, a national independent charity evaluation group in New Jersey.

  I will put in a small plug here for the Community Ministry; for the past few years most of my clothing donations have gone to the Interfaith Clothing Center (part of the Community Ministry) in Gaithersburg. Their address is 620 East Diamond Ave; it’s in the small industrial/commercial campus on the northeast corner of E Diamond & Girard. They accept donations Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

In my post about the stabbing at JC Penny a few weeks ago, I asked if anyone had set up a fund to help the victim’s children. Now, it appears that one is available, organized by the Montgomery County Latino Lions Club and administered by BB&T Bank. Chris Robinson reports the details in the Gazette:

A fund has been set up to benefit the children of the 35-year-old Germantown woman stabbed to death at Lakeforest mall earlier this month.

Donations can be made at BB&T banks under the name Domingo Mejia for the three children of Ana Elisa Mejia Avila. She was mother to two daughters and one son, ages 15, 10 and 2-and-a-half, respectively.

Mejia was pronounced dead at an area hospital shortly after the stabbing. Dupree was arrested after being treated for his injuries.

His motive and relationship with Mejia remains under investigation, but an assistant state’s attorney has suggested the crime might have been a random act.

‘‘This appears to be a crime with no reason,” Assistant State’s Attorney Damon Bell said during Dupree’s Nov. 9 bond hearing.

[Lions Club chapter president Grace] Rivera-Oven also said the incident was the result of a ‘‘person not in his total senses.”

I do not see in the online version of the story the contact information on how to donate that was provided in the print edition:

TO CONTRIBUTEFor more information about making a donation to the fund for Ana Elisa Mejia Avila’s children, contact BB&T Multicultural Market Coordinator Angela Franco at 202-835-9338.