By Alison Zuzak
Glen Mar was presented a Volunteer Award by HopeWorks of Howard County, the county’s sexual assault and domestic violence center, at its Volunteer & Community Partners Celebrations and Awards Dinner on April 14, 2023.
In the award notification letter, Executive Director Ngozi Obineme stated that Glen Mar was selected because of our dedication and support of HopeWorks programs and services, which directly benefits its clients and the community.
“Volunteers (like Glen Mar) make it possible for us to carry out the important work that we do to support survivors and their families, and the community.”
HopeWorks Development Manager Allison Adams stated that Glen Mar “deserves to be recognized for all of your work on Jewels for Hope, your support of families during Holiday Drive, and the abundance of pantry donations you provided this year. It’s always a joy to work with you on these projects, and I’m so grateful for all the ways that you show up to support HopeWorks and our clients.”
Glen Mar raised close to $21,000 through its Jewels for Hope gently used jewelry and scarf sale held on November 5, 2022. This event, which has been held for six years, is HopeWorks’ largest fundraising activity.
Glen Mar was also able to bless some of HopeWorks clients’ families at Christmas through its Wish Upon a Star program. We were matched up with five families (26 individuals). Due to COVID precautions, we provided gift cards instead of gifts, but the family members were able to specify which gift cards they would like to receive.
In July, we received a request to provide HopeWorks with some urgently needed pantry items required by the families in their shelter. Due to high demand, many staple foods and personal care products had been depleted. Once again, Glen Mar came through with numerous donations of staple foods and personal care products, in addition to gift cards to purchase some of these needed items. These supplies were collected in the Gathering Place and then delivered to HopeWorks last summer through the fall.
None of these efforts could have been successful without the enormous effort of all of the Glen Mar community. Thank you for helping us support the efforts of HopeWorks in our community.
HopeWorks is the sole comprehensive social service provider for survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking in Howard County. Services include a 24–hour helpline and hospital accompaniment for survivors of sexual and domestic violence; short and long-term counseling in individual and group formats for women and men, adults and children; emergency shelter and transitional housing; and legal advocacy and services pertaining to the civil and criminal justice systems.
More information about HopeWorks of Howard County, including ways to volunteer or donate, can be found on their website.
A plaque was presented by Allison Adams to Jewels for Hope team members Jackie Loar and Bonnie Dust, who represented Glen Mar Church.
