By Van Beall

Since 2016 Ames Memorial UMC, Glen Mar’s partner congregation in the Sandtown community of West Baltimore, has been acquiring property near Ames Church in order to develop a community center and bring new services and amenities to Sandtown. The Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church has provided the funding, and to date 19 properties have been purchased, from both private owners and through Baltimore City’s Vacants to Value program.

While communicating with the owners of Northeastern Supply, a plumbing supply company which owned a desired parcel, the Community Development Corporation associated with Ames Memorial UMC – Ames Shalom Community, Inc.  – was offered Northeastern Supply’s entire Sandtown operation – two buildings and an empty lot totaling approximately 36,000 square feet. Ames Shalom will own 64,000 square feet, which will more than double the size of its property.

A ceremony near Ames is scheduled for noon on May 25 to transfer ownership of the properties and to recognize and honor this extremely generous gift. Speakers include Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, State Senator Antonio Hayes, CEO of Northeastern Supply Steve Cook, and Bishop LaTrelle Easterling from the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Glen Mar members are invited to attend the May 25 ceremony.  Please RSVP to sh***********@pr*****.net by May 18.