Needy Families

When a runaway in Howard County finds safe emergency shelter and a terminally ill cancer patient gets extra medical attention, they can thank a small, dedicated group of women in Dorsey's Search.Since 1985, the Dorsey's Search Women's Foundation has helped the distressed and raised money for charitable causes countywide.Begun as a social club in 1981, the group gives more than $6,000 each year to needy families and to organizations that help children and families."We're not trying to conquer the world.

In an effort to provide holiday dinners to needy families in Prince George's County, the Prince George's County Public Safety Assistance Program is collecting donations of canned goods through Dec. 20. County agencies that are participating in the holiday food basket program include the Office of the Sheriff, Police Department, Fire/EMS Department, Department of Corrections, Office of Homeland Security, Public Safety Communications and the Office...

Rayford Dean stood in a long, winding line of people waiting for Thanksgiving groceries at St. John Baptist Church in Columbia. The 48-year-old works as a truck driver, he said, but he was recently divorced and needed help to provide a holiday meal for his three children, so he took an early lunchtime and waited Tuesday with dozens of others. "It means I can actually do a Thanksgiving dinner," he said. "Without it, we'd just have spaghetti. " Hundreds of needy Howard County families got bags of Thanksgiving food and related products in two distribution programs Monday night and Tuesday in Columbia.

WESTMINSTER — The Westminster Police Department, Westminster Walmart and other sponsors are seeking donations for the annual Shop With a Cop Angel Tree, which helps provide Christmas gifts for needy children. The tree was formally unveiled on Oct. 27 at the Westminster Walmart, on Woodward Drive, and is decorated with gift tags. The tags depict gifts ranging in price from $10 and higher, and shoppers are asked to selected a tag from the angel tree as they enter the store. Later, closer to the holidays, the program will pair children with Westminster Police officers, providing money to shop for Christmas presents for their families.

Howard County members of a national group that promotes buying locally grown produce gathered this week at Burleigh Manor Middle School in Ellicott City and bagged fruits, vegetables and nonperishable items to ensure that 15 needy families could prepare Thanksgiving meals. The Howard residents comprise the Centennial Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), one of several local branches of an organization that enables consumers to buy food by purchasing shares of fruits and vegetables from a local farmer.

The Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a food basket drive for needy families in the Elkridge area. Members are seeking food donations to help defray the cost of about 30 baskets.Needed are: Stove Top Dressing, canned gravy, cranberry sauce, sauerkraut, green beans, corn and othervegetables, canned yams or sweet potatoes and juices. Drop food off anytime at the Fire Department, 6275 Washington Road, Elkridge.Turkeys, margarine, frozen pies and other perishables will be accepted by contacting Capt.

The human relations committee of Brooklyn Park Elementary School is sponsoring a "Kids Helping Kids" project through Oct. 31.Students are asked to bring nonperishable foods that will be donated to local food banks for distribution to families in need.

Hard times have hit home for growing numbers of laid-off workers andnewly poor families in Anne Arundel County.Caught in the recession, more needy families are seeking emergency food and money each month from charities such as the North County Emergency Outreach Network, a non-profit coalition of 28 churches.Leaders of the ecumenical organization reported a dramatic increase in the number of families lining up for food and help with rent orelectricity bills this winter. In the last two months, 374 families and 53 single people have requested help, a third more than the number seeking assistance during the same period last year.

More people than ever are asking for help to put a Thanksgiving dinner on the family table, and most of them are being turned down.The most encouraging news one local agency has is that it at least guarantees help at Christmas for all 771 families who have asked so far.Also, it isn't too late for people to donate money for food, although it will be too late by Tuesday.Anyone who may wish to donate $25 toward gift certificates for the families who were turned down should call Human Services Programs Inc. tomorrow at 857-2999.

The volunteer coordinator for Human Services Inc. and Neighbors in Need yesterday gave the Tourism Association a shopping list to make Thanksgiving fuller and Christmas merrier for needy families.During the association meeting at Mayberry Sales Center in Finksburg, Barbara Brown said she is "gearing up" for an increase in families who need holiday help."We are preparing for even greater numbers this year, at least 200 more families," Ms. Brown said.She said she expects that the county will respond.

Ray Lewis always tries to give back, whether it's to the Ravens or the city of Baltimore. Two days after sealing a Ravens victory with another big play, the magnetizing middle linebacker was making an impact in a different way in West Baltimore, where he handed out 800 turkeys to needy families. A Thanksgiving tradition for 11 straight years, Lewis has been providing food, handshakes and hugs to the people of his adopted hometown. From Lewis' perspective, it's not about handouts.

Rayford Dean stood in a long, winding line of people waiting for Thanksgiving groceries at St. John Baptist Church in Columbia. The 48-year-old works as a truck driver, he said, but he was recently divorced and needed help to provide a holiday meal for his three children, so he took an early lunchtime and waited Tuesday with dozens of others. "It means I can actually do a Thanksgiving dinner," he said. "Without it, we'd just have spaghetti. " Hundreds of needy Howard County families got bags of Thanksgiving food and related products in two distribution programs Monday night and Tuesday in Columbia.

Howard County members of a national group that promotes buying locally grown produce gathered this week at Burleigh Manor Middle School in Ellicott City and bagged fruits, vegetables and nonperishable items to ensure that 15 needy families could prepare Thanksgiving meals. The Howard residents comprise the Centennial Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), one of several local branches of an organization that enables consumers to buy food by purchasing shares of fruits and vegetables from a local farmer.

The 11,400 pounds of food arrived in the back of a truck, on schedule and on pallets, and it's now lined against a wall in the entranceway to Baltimore's Northern District police station. In a few days, officers will tear open the boxes and fill bags for 75 needy families, who will get a turkey dinner and enough leftovers to fill their pantries. The officers, in squad cars, will deliver the goods from the Maryland Food Bank and toys to homes on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23. And if last year's a guide, there will be more than enough toys to go around.

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon will be sentenced Jan. 21, a date that could become her last day in office if her bid for a mistrial is unsuccessful and other legal maneuvers fail. The mayor has not said whether she plans to relinquish power and has refused to answer questions about her conviction, citing post-trial motions that her lawyers are drafting. Last week, a jury found Dixon guilty on one misdemeanor charge that she embezzled retail gift cards intended for needy families. The state's constitution requires elected leaders to step aside if they are convicted of misdemeanors related to their official duties.

In keeping with a Baltimore tradition, partygoers will raise a glass - and money Thursday night for Christmas gifts for needy children. The wine tasting at the National Federation of the Blind benefits Santa Claus Anonymous, a local organization that has been providing holiday presents to kids for the past 75 years. This year the group hopes to raise $300,000, which will find its way to needy families via some 20,000 $15 gift certificates. Unique to Baltimore, Santa Claus Anonymous was started in 1934 by Theodore R. McKeldin, who went on to become mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland, the only Republican to hold both offices.

For the better part of the school year, the band members of the South Carroll High School Marching Cavaliers spend their time practicing instruments and routines, performing in competitions and participating in fund-raising activities. But when the holiday season approaches, their thoughts turn to helping out the less fortunate in our community.For several years, the students have been adopting two families from the Carroll County area and providing them with traditional meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Last Christmas season, Baltimore County Officer William E. Welsh shipped 80 tons of food to needy families -- a feat that has won him the Police Community Relations Executive Council's Police Officer of the Year award.Last night, the 22-year veteran of the department was honored by County Council members who declared yesterday to be Officer William E. Welsh Day. John Meadowcroft, president of the Community Relations Executive Council, presented Welsh with a plaque."I'm just one part of the wheel," said the officer, who is assigned to the department's Traffic Accident Abatement Problem Solving Unit.

Baltimore's political corruption scandal doesn't involve the shakedown of U.S. Senate candidates. The claims are more petty than that, but just as potentially harmful to the public good. When the mayor of Baltimore is indicted on charges of copping gift cards intended for needy families and taking gifts from a developer-boyfriend who had business with the city, voters have a right to feel disappointed, if not angered. These allegations are the latest arising from a state prosecutor's investigation that has dogged Sheila Dixon for three years.