News Release
For Immediate Release: December 22, 2009
Contact Person: Diane Lee, PIO, 301-334-7730
Dare to be You Project Creates Legacy of Volunteerism
Pictured during the Dare to be You volunteer project from left to right are Nathan Parsons, Edna Wonderly, Tammy Burns, Casey Burns, Melanie Burns, Leah Marquez and Alysa Marquez. Not present for the photo, but participating in the project, were Erica Robinette and Carma Kile.
The DARE to be You volunteer project began in June under the coordination of Hannah Steele, AmeriCorps member/summer intern of the Garrett County Health Department. DARE to be You is a program for parents and their preschool age children. This program has existed in Garrett County for eight years and has served many families. AmeriCorps members have been hosted by the health department for sixteen years.
“During the summer of 2009 I attended the National Service and Volunteer Conference,” said Sandy Sutton, coordinator of the DTBY program. “It was here that the idea was sparked that it would be great to get the DTBY families involved in volunteerism under the coordination of an AmeriCorps member.”
The families began their Thanksgiving project in June by creating centerpieces and condiment holders. These items were made to be given to the senior citizens at the Mary Browning Senior Center. The center has been generous and hosted the DTBY program since 2002.
The DTBY family members took the holiday items to the senior meal site during the Thanksgiving holiday. They placed their holiday item on the tables, shared Thanksgiving recitations, and ate lunch with the seniors.
“I was pleased as I looked around the room. There was much conversation and laughter between the children and the senior citizens,” Sutton said. “Many thanks go out to the DTBY families and to Hannah Steele for her guidance with the project.”
“The benefits of volunteerism for the families are that they spend quality time together, share core values, learn life skills, and make a meaningful contribution to their community while creating a legacy of volunteering,” Sutton said. “We hope that the project has help the families continue to volunteer during the Christmas holiday and beyond.”
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