The giving season is underway, and that’s not referring to specific holidays. As is always the case when summer is over, school is back in session and the calendar moves toward its conclusion, and charities and other benevolent organizations launch their one last fund drive of the year.
If there is one thing to be said about Worcester County, it is that it is one of the more generous areas anywhere, and that’s despite the economic differences between its districts.
This week alone, three fund-raising events will be taking place: one in Pocomoke, one in Berlin and one by a countywide organization.
In Pocomoke, the curtain will go up Saturday evening at the Mar-Va Theater for a fundraiser for that area’s Samaritan Shelter for the homeless. As unlikely as it might sound for anywhere on the Eastern Shore, the draw will be opera as performed by hometown soprano Brittany Lewis, who has packed them in before in previous charity performances.
Also on Saturday, Victorian Charm in Berlin, with the help of many of that town’s businesses, will launch this year’s “Coats for Totes” drive that will reward anyone donating a coat to help needy school children with a tote bag bearing the logos of participating businesses.
The totes were distributed to shops as part of the Berlin Main Street Program.
As if Saturday weren’t already busy enough, Worcester County GOLD will have its “GOLD on the Green” golf tournament at the Ocean City Golf and Yacht Club.
The money raised by this effort will be used to help families this winter with their bills, food, medication and housing.
These are but three of the multiple charity drives currently underway, but they do represent something that makes Worcester stand out as a county that truly cares about its residents.
As we grow weary of listening to, reading and seeing all the negative news that’s playing out across the country just now, this acknowledgement of the county’s giving season is the perfect antidote.