Local Mission Funding

AIM WANTS YOU !

AIM Community Center Action

Twenty Two Saint Markers Support Scotland
On April 2, 22 Saint Markers joined 1,000 other members of AIM to tell four County Council members who attended the action that renovating four historic community centers in Scotland, Ross Boody, Plum Gar and Good Hope is critical to the life of these communities. The huge gathering at the University of Maryland Shady Grove witnessed the strength of the 30 member congregations of AIM and of Saint Mark's support for this effort.

The disparity of how the 4 community centers in these African American communities have been maintained and staffed is glaring in comparison with other centers such as Potomac. Five Council votes are needed to approve funding in the CIP budget and AIM is working hard to gain passage. Saint Markers who
want to see fairness in their County's funding of all community centers are urged to e-mail Councilmember.berliner@mongtomerycountymd.gov and
Councilmember.Knapp@montgomerycountymd.gov
The vote on the County operating and CIP budgets is May 15, so
please make your views known now.

Rebuilding Together:  Home Makeover

Sign-up today in the Atrium! Please Volunteer today! Rebuilding Together Montgomery County is a volunteer organization that partners with the Saint Mark community to provide home repair on a Silver Spring house for the elderly.  Please take time today to volunteer to work on Saturday, April 26  along with Chad Salganik, Richard Chandler, Joe Piff, and House Ambassador Lucy Leuchtenburg who are on the SM leadership team.  For more information, please contact Chad at salganik@mac.com.

Macdonell Scotland Scholarship

Application

Members of the Scholarship Committee have met with Churchill seniors and have four applications in process. This is an exciting but time-consuming process. We encourage anyone interested in helping a senior negotiate the college application process to join us.  Please call Caroline Touchton to express your interest.

Manna Silver Anniversary Gala

Saint Mark has received the Manna Hunger Heroes Award from the Manna Food Center. A gala to celebrate will be held on April 10, 7:00 PM at VisArts, 155 Gibbs Street, Rockville, Maryland 20850 (behind the library). Saint Mark needs your help in getting the word out to business and individuals who would like to promote the Manna Food Center.

Manna is currently experiencing a staggering increase in the # of people to Manna for help feeding their families. So far in FY 08 Manna is experiencing an eight percent increase in clients who receive food. Manna has also grown the Smart Sacks program from seven to twenty schools this year to make a total of 500 sacks. Manna's innovative Smart Sacks program provides hungry elementary school children a backpack full of kid-friendly food so that they have food to eat on the weekends when there are no school meals to sustain them. Manna hopes to provide food to 500 children each week by the end of the 07-08 school year. If you would like more information regarding this event please contact Kay Haynes at khaynes28@comcast.net.

Local Mission Ministry Grant Information

Three teams carry out the work of Local Mission Ministry and are focused on engaging the congregation in the work of local non-profit agencies providing critical services to the poor, the homeless and the disabled. Nathan Brown chairs the Advocacy Team, Chad Salganik chairs the Hands on Support Team and Ray Mountain chairs the Grants Awards Team.

Tina Moulton has organized and coordinates the Habitat for Humanity-Montgomery (HfH-MC) County build project. Caroline Touchton heads the Macdonell-Scotland Community Scholarship program as well as the Crossway Community, Inc. grant. Bill Reinsch and Caroline assist with KHI, Inc. (formerly Karma House). Bill Reinsch chairs the Saint Mark House Fund subcommittee. Welcome to Ray Hodges for his support to the Scotland Community and to the LM committee!

Contact Dick Pavlin, the Local Mission Chair, pav9@verizon.net if you want to have a rewarding experience in helping others. Your participation is always welcomed!