Nonprofit News & Charitable Giving

Students Hold Fundraiser for Teen Center in Glenwood
A new approach to an age-old problem of "having no place to go" was created Feb. 9, at the Glenwood Community Center with the debut of "CafŽ Groove - a Teen Scene Event." More than 225 middle and high school students attended.
Between October 2007 and January 2008, teen representatives from Glenwood Middle School and Glenelg and Marriottsville high schools met monthly with staff members of the Glenwood Community Center and the Western Horizon Council, an advisory group to The Horizon Foundation, to discuss the types of activities teens would like to see at the center.
A desire for less-structured programs "where teens can just hang out" has resulted in the new center. A room dedicated to such standard teenage interests as playing pool and ping-pong is currently available from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. A center ID is required. The recent event raised money to purchase such items as a big-screen TV and video games for the teen center.
The community center is located at 2400 Route 97 in Cooksville. For more information contact Terri Hilton at 410-313-4840.

HCC Launches New NSF Scholarship Program for STEM Students
A recent grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) enables Howard Community College (HCC) to launch a new scholarship program for financially eligible full-time students majoring in the STEM fields - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - beginning fall 2008.
HCC's new program helps to address the regional demand for skilled high tech personnel by attracting and retaining today's students to be tomorrow's problem-solvers. Scholarships are awarded for up to two years, in varying amounts up to $6,000 per year, to be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment and other needs. The NSF Science & Technology Scholarship recipients will be part of a unique STEM learning community at HCC, featuring mentors, speakers, career exploration and planning, internships and community service, and cultural experiences related to their major.
The priority deadline was March 1, but submissions are now being considered on a space-available basis. Application materials and instructions are available online at www.howardcc.edu/nsf, may be requested from the hotline at 410-772-4599, or on the HCC campus from the offices of Admissions & Advising or Financial Aid Services.

Central Maryland Women in Agriculture Forum Set for March 12
The Howard County Agricultural Marketing Program and the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service are presenting the next Central Maryland Women in Agriculture Forum, "Building a Better Business Today for a Brighter Tomorrow," on Wednesday, March 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship.
The forum will focus on bringing in the next generation, business management and marketing your new product. Registration is $20. Pre-registration must be received by March 5. On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The program begins promptly at 9 a.m.
This forum is committed to offering educational and networking opportunities to women interested in improving their business skills and quality of life by providing leadership, learning experiences, and support to empower them to not only compete but thrive in the challenging and complex industry of agriculture.
For more information or to register, contact Kathy Zimmerman or Jill Joubert at the Howard County Economic Development Authority at 410-313-6500 or visit www.hceda.org/eventDetail.aspx?id=46.

Special Olympics Howard County to Award Scholarships
Special Olympics Howard County will award two $1,500 scholarships to outstanding student volunteers who have been committed to the Special Olympics Howard County program as a volunteer and advocate of the athletes through the generosity of two families.
The Jackie Burk Memorial Award for Outstanding Student Volunteer for Special Olympics Howard County was created in 2004 by Jack and Linda Burk in memory of their daughter, Jackie, a special friend and volunteer to Special Olympics Howard County. The Allan Homes Award was established in 2005 by Allan Waschak, Special Olympics Howard County management team member and aquatics coordinator, and his wife Kathy.
Applications and instructions are available at www.somdhc.org. Completed applications should be mailed to Special Olympics Howard County, 8970 Route 108, Suite A-1, Columbia, MD 21045, to the attention of the Scholarship Committee. They must be postmarked no later than March 15.
Call the SOHC office at 410-740-0500 or e-mail info@somdhc.org with questions.

Days End Farm Receives Agri-Tourism Permit for New Farm
Days End Farm Horse Rescue was awarded Howard County's Agri-Tourism Enterprise Permit last month, allowing the organization to move full operations to the 58-acre agricultural preserve it has been pursuing since December.
To ensure that the move goes smoothly, the organization will be relying heavily on donations and volunteers. Carpenters, electricians and plumbers have already been donating their time improving fencing, stabilizing sheds and retrofitting buildings, turning this former cattle farm into one equipped to care for nearly 60 horses.
Land use attorney Sang Oh from the office of local attorney Dick Talkin and civil engineers Zac Fisch and Susan Marmon have donated their time to help develop the plan that led to the permit. More volunteers are needed to help pack up the old facility as well as organize the new critical care area, feed and tack rooms, barns, offices and classroom before equipment, materials and horses can be moved from the old farm by the April 30 deadline.
Days End Farm Horse Rescue is a 501(c) 3, nonprofit organization. For more information on volunteer opportunities, wish list needs and ongoing projects needing funding, call 301-854-5037 or 410-442-1564, e-mail defhr@erols.com or visit www.defhr.org.

Anne Arundel County to Hold Foreign Workers Employment Practice Workshop
Anne Arundel County is inviting county businesses to attend The Foreign Workers Employment Practice Workshop, which will address lawful employment practices involving foreign workers.
The event will take place on Thursday, March 13, from 8 a.m. to noon at the BWI Airport Marriott on 1743 West Nursery Road in Linthicum. Two panels of experts will provide information and case studies on topics such as discrimination, understanding complex documentation, background screening, legal and tax issues and compliance with federal employment laws.
Tickets are $50 per person and include a continental breakfast. Due to limited seating, advanced registration is strongly recommended and is available online at www.aaedc.org/special_events.

Women's History Month Essay Contest Begins
Howard County's Commission for Women is sponsoring an essay contest in honor of Women's History Month, celebrated each March. The national theme of this year's celebration is "Women's Art, Women's Vision."
The contest is open to all Howard County students (public, private and home schooled), grades 6-12. Essays should describe either a contemporary or historical American woman who has excelled in the arts and would be considered visionary because of her significant contribution to the arts.
Those entries submitted via e-mail to women@howardcountymd.gov must be sent as a Word document with the subject line "WHOF Essay Contest." Essays also may be mailed to the Commission for Women Student Essay Contest, P.O. Box 348, Simpsonville, MD 21150.

HCC Receives President's Honor Roll Award for Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service has named Howard Community College's (HCC) Center for Service Learning (CSL) to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to disadvantaged youth. This is the second year in a row that the CSL has been named to the Honor Roll.
The CSL aims to enhance academic and co-curricular learning through the integration of Service Learning. Through collaboration with the community, meaningful service experiences are created that extend classroom and co-curricular learning and encourage civic engagement, community awareness and personal development. For more information, call 410-772-4432 or visit www.howardcc.edu/centerforservicelearning.

UCF to Give Away 10 Pairs of Tix to Sheryl Crow Fundraiser
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults announced that it will give away 10 pairs of tickets to young adult cancer survivors to attend UCF's signature event with singer Sheryl Crow on March 16.
"One Night. One Fight." will be an evening of live music and food at Pazo, a restaurant in the Fell's Point section of Baltimore City. Crow will be joined by singer and young adult cancer survivor Christine Baze, and the Cancer Dancers, a dance troupe of young adult survivors and siblings. Visit www.ulmanfund.org/sherylcrow for more info on the giveaway.

Howard Autism Society Sponsors Bike Raffle
The Howard Autism Society and Harley-Davidson of Maryland have announced a raffle with the prize being a 2007 FXD Dyna SuperGlide Motorcycle in Pacific Pearl Blue to raise awareness for autism in Howard County.
Tickets are available for $100 each and $250 for three. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held at the 3rd Annual Pieces of the Puzzle Gala on April 5. Tickets can be purchased online at www.howard-autism.org or at Harley Davidson of Maryland showroom located at 7010 Troy Hill Drive in Elkridge.

Columbia Foundation Scholarships Available
Donors to The Columbia Foundation have established scholarships for Howard County public high school seniors who will attend two- or four-year colleges or universities in fall 2008.
Information and applications are available on the web at www.columbiafoundation.org under General information or from high school guidance counselor offices. Those offices require completed application forms before the end of March.
The Howard County Public School System's Career and Technology Education Office (CTE) is offering many week-long opportunities this summer for middle and high school students attending Howard County public schools.
The Career Academies Summer Camps will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, June 16 to 20, for middle school students and June 23 to 27 for high school students. The camps will be held at the Applications and Research Laboratory, located at 10920 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
The camps are geared toward students who are interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering, culinary science and business. The registration deadline is May 15, 2008. Registration forms are available at middle and high school guidance offices and on www2.hcpss.org/cte, click on programs. For more information, call 410-313-6629.

Turf Valley Resort to Host Three-Day Preakness Hot Air Balloon Festival
Turf Valley Resort will once again light up the skies in honor of a longstanding Preakness tradition. As an official sponsor for the 2008 Preakness Celebration, the resort has been chosen as the exclusive venue to host Preakness Celebration Hot Air Balloon Festival.
The resort will serve at the feature location for the Preakness Balloon Glow at dusk on both Thursday and Friday, May 15 and 16. The two-day event will include activities aimed towards young children and those young at heart. The festival will culminate in the launching of the balloons at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, weather permitting. For more information, call 410-423-0811.

Erickson Donated More Than $1.2 Million to Nonprofits in 2007
Baltimore-based senior housing developer/manager Erickson Retirement Communities donated $1.2 million to nonprofit organizations across the United States in 2007, up from $1.1 million in 2006.
Almost half of the company's 2007 donations were directed by Erickson employees' civic involvement and nearly $60,000 was given in recognition of the time and money given to nonprofits by people who work in the company's corporate offices and its 18 communities nationwide. Overall, Erickson supports charities and initiatives aligned with the themes of successful aging; expanding education across the lifespan; and strengthening communities.

Manekin Party Raises $67K for Charities
Manekin LLC, along with 108 subcontractors and vendors, contributed approximately $67,000 to 32 charities at the company's annual subcontractor's party. The history of giving related to this event is approximately $711,000.
For 24 years, Manekin has hosted the event for subcontractors and vendors who have helped the company achieve success. In 2007, cash and in-kind donations by Manekin and its employees exceeded $412,000.