charity – Gary Bennett Publishing

Go For the Good, Frederick

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the April 11, 2024 issue of the Frederick News-Post’s entertainment insert, “72 Hours.”

Does the never ending political rancor of the day have you down? Other than turning off Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC, I have the perfect antidote for you – volunteering!

There are so many human needs out there, and let’s face it, government can never hope to serve them all, nor should it. That’s where we come in. Endless opportunities await you in Frederick County and beyond, if you have a sincere desire to make a difference.

I know what you’re thinking: “I’d like to volunteer but I just don’t have the time” …or maybe “I don’t know where to start.” If you live here but work in Montgomery County or Washington D.C., you may have a very good point on the first issue. I’ve been there, too. After three or four hours of roundtrip commuting piled on top of your work day, there is little time left for much more than dinner, TV and bedtime. No one can blame you for not getting involved.

But, I’m here to tell you that most volunteer organizations will happily take as much or as little time as you can spare. I can assure you that two hours spent volunteering once a week will feel much better to you than those two hours spent watching TV.

Actually, volunteering just two hours per week would make you a super volunteer. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency, Americans who volunteer average about one hour per week doing so. And, there are a lot of us volunteers. Seventy-seven million adults in the U.S., or about one in three, volunteer in some capacity in 2017.

As for not being sure about where to start, I can help you there, too.

Like to walk or run? Why not help out with an annual 5K or 10K walk/run to benefit a local health-related charity? There are too many to make a comprehensive list so I’ll mention just two: the annual Walk
MS: Frederick will be held April 13 at Fredrick High School was held May 4 at Harry Grove Stadium to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society and people with MS Relay for Life on May 17 and 18 at Frederick Community College benefiting the American Cancer Society and celebrating cancer survivors. Organizations like these always need volunteers to set up, tear down, mark the course, serve refreshments, or to simply cheer on the participants.

Like to clean? Believe it or not this activity is therapeutic for some people including ones like me who sit behind a desk all day. If so, why not volunteer for the annual Bring a Broom Saturday event on April 27 to help clean up downtown Frederick and ready it for tourist season. Sponsored by the Downtown Frederick Partnership, this event is perfect for those of us who burst with pride for downtown Frederick and want it to look its best.

Similar to that event but available on an ongoing basis is the State Highway Administration’s Adopt a Highway program. Since that program started in 1989, 120,000 Marylanders have cleaned over 15,000 miles of roadside. If either of these programs seems a little daunting, you can bet your local homeowners association will have a cleanup day. If not, start one!

Can you speak, write, and read English reasonably well? The Literacy Council of Frederick County is always in need of English tutors. This activity is typically accomplished one-on-one with one or two students and only takes a few hours per week. The staff at the Literacy Council makes it extremely easy to be a tutor. They will train you over two Saturdays and provide all the materials you will need and a step-by-step lesson plan. If you are interested, contact Holly Bohman or Jennifer Szabo at the Council. I can tell you firsthand that being an English tutor is an amazingly rewarding experience.

Can you make more of a commitment? If so, I can recommend any of Frederick’s venerable service clubs. Each has a little different focus, but all are committed to making Frederick County a better place to live and work. For example, the FSK Lions Club, to which I belong, focuses on eye health but also gets involved in many other things such as childhood cancer, diabetes, environmental issues and hunger. Besides the Lions Club, there are the Elks,
Kiwanis, Moose, Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, Boys and Girls Club, Frederick Women’s Civic Club, and Rotary Clubs, to name a few. Take a look online at what they do and arrange a visit. They will be happy to see you and will probably invite you to dinner.

Do you have aging parents and care deeply about the Greatest Generation and other seniors? Then reach out to the Frederick Senior Center. They sponsor fitness classes, arts and crafts, health information programs and other special events. They also serve up a nice lunch and support Meals on
Wheels. You could also reach out to Hospice of Frederick County, which helps to ensure a gentle passage through the final phase of life. Volunteers can work with terminally ill patients and their families to offer companionship, respite care and other services such as light housekeeping, running errands or pet care.

Want to make sure no one goes hungry? The City of Frederick and the Frederick Community Action Agency needs volunteers to help serve meals at the Community Table and to help gather and stock food items at the Food Bank You’ll be in good company. Collecting, distributing, preparing, and serving food is the No. 1 area of volunteerism in America.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. National organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, and United Way all have numerous local opportunities to help with housing, emergency relief and other human needs. Youth sports leagues need coaches, refs and other helpers. And don’t forget about local churches, volunteer fire associations, hospitals and libraries. All want and need your talents.

I highly recommend volunteermatch.org. Just plug in your zip code and they will serve up to you weekly all the close-in volunteer opportunities for you to consider.

Canines on Creek Raises Money for Leader Dogs for the Blind

By Gary Bennett

Daniel and Kayla Bennett and Jasper enjoy a fun event!

Several hundred people took to Carroll Creek on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, October 22, to enjoy FSK Lions Club’s third annual Canines on the Creek. This celebration of Fredrick’s dog-loving past and present featured a parade and Halloween costume contest for dogs and owners, exhibits from dog-friendly businesses, prizes, giveaways and demonstrations. The event was held in conjunction with the Downtown Frederick Partnership in support of the nonprofit group Leader Dogs for the Blind (www.leaderdog.org).

Nearly $2,500 was raised for Leader Dogs, an organization the Lions founded and are intimately involved. Leader Dogs for the Blind provides guide dog training, matching services and client orientation and mobility training leading to a life of independence and confidence for blind and low-sight individuals. Training and providing Leader Dogs for the blind community is very expensive but very much needed. Lions have always been especially supportive of this group.

“The parade and costume contest are a lot of fun,” according to FSK Lions event chair Gary Bennett. “The last two years the event has featured a St. Patrick’s Day theme and 4^th of July these, respectively. We decided to move our event to Halloween this year because it’s pretty easy to come up with a Halloween costume and to take advantage of Frederick’s usually spectacular weather in October. We plan to do this next Halloween, too.”

Monetary and pet food donations were also collected to support the Humane Society of Frederick County. Other businesses that exhibited at the event or provided financial support included: BYD Pet Services, Camp Bow Wow, Catoctin Mountain Bark Busters, Doggy Donuts, Dogtopia, Dublin Roasters, Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter, Green K9, Green Valley Animal Hospital, MD Insurance Administration, Megan Purtell Photography, Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue, Oliver’s Hometown Bakery and Pet Smart.

Judging categories for the costume contest were best owner and dog look-alikes, best small breed costume, and best large breed costumes. Lion leaders Jeremy Bair. Jim Corely and John Aulls served as judges. Lions District Governor Nadja Munchow addressed the crowd, extolling the virtues on Lionism. Lois Barb, a local Leader Dog trainer, described the rigors of training the dogs. Sponsors and exhibitors provided over $3,000 worth of prizes.

“We were also happy to have Go Team Therapy Dogs in attendance and available for hugging and cuddling,” according to Bennett. “All in all, it was a great day to be a dog. The Lions were very happy to bring the community together for such a good cause on this beautiful day.”

Visit fsklions.org/canines to see the many photos that were taken at the event.

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with over 1.4 million members in approximately 48,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions Clubs have assisted the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth. Lions Clubs are comprised of individuals who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs.

If you are community-minded, consider joining FSK Lions Club or any local Lions Club. FSK Lions Club meets second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at Frederick Elks Lodge on Willowdale Road in Frederick. For reservations, contact membership chair Sue Everhart at 301-514-6030. You can also visit fsklions.org or send an email to membership@fsklions.

FSK Lions Step in to Provide Medical Equipment

By Gary Bennett

Ellen Bennett displays medical equipment available for lending through the FSK Lions Club.

As seen in the Frederick News-Post Feb. 19, 2020.

In August, 2019 when Frederick nonprofit Federated Charities announced their intention of shuttering their free used medical equipment program (Local Lions Clubs fill void, July 11, 2019), Francis Scott Key Lions Club knew they had to help.

“With a motto of ‘we serve’, there was never a question of our club not stepping up and helping out,” said Gary Bennett, an FSK Lions Club member who took notice of Federated Charities announcement in the News-Post and took it upon himself to make something happen. “This is a needed program that just had to continue in some shape or form.”

As the July 11 news article reported, several other Lions Clubs in the county and surrounding area also provide free medical equipment to all who ask, but none of the three clubs serving the greater Frederick area had participated to this point.

“The need is there,” according to Gary’s wife Ellen Bennett, who is a retired hospice and long-term care nurse and fellow Lion. “Many folks in our community just can’t afford the medical equipment they need, and they fall through the cracks because their health insurance won’t cover this needed equipment. We’ll lend it for free.” Ellen Bennett will serve as volunteer program manager for the FSK Lions program.

“We will serve as a conduit for those with medical equipment to share to get it into the hands of those who need it. It’s really not much different from a lending library,” said Ellen. We will ensure that all equipment is clean, disinfected, and in good working order when it is picked up.

The FSK used medical equipment program will provide wheelchairs, knee scooters, walkers, rollators, bedside commodes, shower chairs, crutches and canes. Those with equipment no longer needed can contact the Bennetts through the regional Lions Clubs website at https://mdlions22w.org/. Just find the tab “Medical Equipment” and then FSK Lions Club. Citizens needing equipment can use the same web address to get help.

Other Lions Clubs serving the immediate area with used medical equipment include Boonsboro, Funkstown, Hagerstown, Libertytown/Unionville, Mount Airy, New Windsor, Smithsburg, Taneytown, Union Bridge, Williamsport, and more. Potential clients are encouraged to contact the Lions Club closest to them.

For the time being, the FSK program will operate out of Gary and Ellen Bennett’s garage in the Ballenger Creek area. “Trying to find an appropriate and permanent home for such a needed program is more difficult that you might imagine,” according to Gary. “I’ve contacted numerous storage facilities and other likely targets such as other nonprofits to no avail,” said Gary. “I know the Frederick community wants to help so if any of your readers know of a facility or can provide one of their own, we would like to hear about it. We need about 300 square feet. We don’t mind giving up our garage for such a worthy cause, but it’s not a good long-term solution for us or the Lions.”

Indeed, finding an appropriate storage facility for the medical equipment is what has caused many Lions Clubs, including the Frederick and Yellow Springs clubs, to not participate. “Lions Clubs serving smaller communities that tend to have their own buildings are more able to provide a service like this,” said FSK Lions Club president Duane Voitel. “We are proud of the Bennetts for stepping up but we need the community to also help us. We don’t mind putting in the volunteer hours to coordinate something like this, but we just don’t have the funds or land to sit our own storage facility on. We’d certainly like to have something more centrally located in downtown Frederick so we can best serve the folks who need it the most. The International Lions Club does provide its own insurance.”

According to Gary Bennett, anyone needing equipment can contact them through the FSK Lions club and have it the next day. Recipients are expected to pick up the equipment themselves, but in certain situations, the Lions can help with that, too. Recipients can use the equipment for as long as they need but are expected to eventually return it so the Lions can lend it again.

“Elin Ross with Federated Charities has been invaluable in helping us set up this program,” said Gary. “They’ve provided valuable consultation and advice and a waiver document that we are using. We’d also like to thank Jim Ensor with the Libertytown/Unionville Lions Club and Dennis Ahalt with the Mount Airy Lions Club for helping us build our inventory and Frederick’s Senior Services Division and Frederick Health Hospice who are helping to spread the word about this program.”

Recently celebrating in 60^th anniversary, Francis Scott Key Lions Club has been serving the Frederick Community since 1959. They support a number of local, national and international charities and service projects including vision screenings for children in Head Start, daycare, private and afterschool programs, providing Leader Dogs to blind and low-sight individuals, and providing eyeglasses to those in need. They are part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization with over 1.45 million members in over 200 countries. If interested in joining FSK Lions Club, contact info@fsklions.org, www.fsklions.org, (240) 626-1511 or attend one of our biweekly meetings the second or fourth Tuesday of each month at Capital Crave and Frederick VFW on the Golden Mile. Dinner is at 6:00 pm and meeting at 6:30 pm.