County hires five EMS personnel to increase responses
As a part of the fiscal 2016 budget, the Charles County Commissioners approved the hiring of five additional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. The northern portion of the county, specifically Waldorf, has the highest call volume in the county and is routinely stressed for EMS resources, according to a press release. The new paramedics and emergency management technicians will address the emergency call volume, and EMS response times in the county. The newly hired personnel will serve in the Station 60 Mobile Intensive Care Unit in White Plains.
“Our residents’ safety and welfare is important to us,” said Commissioners’ President Peter F. Murphy (D) in the release. “Emergency personnel are essential to providing quality medical care, and additional personnel will only further improve emergency response throughout the county.”
“I am thankful my colleagues supported my budget request for additional emergency response staff,” said Commissioner Amanda M. Stewart (D) in the release. “After speaking with residents and staff, I learned of the need for increased EMS services, and felt it was a priority as our county moves forward. I am pleased we are able to add personnel, which is key to meeting the emergency medical needs of residents.”
For more information about the Department of Emergency Ser vices, go to www.CharlesCountyMD.gov. For a full list of Charles County fire and EMS services, go to www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/maps/volunteer-fireand-ems.
Volunteers needed for Day of Caring
United Way of Charles County will host its 22nd Annual Day of Caring on Sept. 1. The event has been a September community tradition since 1995 where partner agencies are able to have volunteers come in and take care of some of their needs.
This year the United Way has 14 agencies with 32 projects submitted, requiring more than 240 volunteers. Some of this years projects are gardening, landscaping, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor painting, meal delivery, construction type jobs and an IT/ website project, to name a few.
The day begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees, with a light breakfast before heading out to the project location. “Live United” T-shirts will be available to ever yone that volunteers. Bring a bagged lunch/snacks and additional water/soda for consumption while at the project.
Individuals or organizations interested in volunteering for this event can review the volunteer opportunities and download the registration form at http://www.unitedwaycharles.org/day-caring.
For more information, call United Way of Charles County at 301609-4844 or email dhadden@unitedwaycharles.org.The deadline to sign up is Aug. 26.
La Plata retailer to donate backpacks to children
Students in La Plata will soon benefit from a national backpack giveaway campaign. TCC, the largest Verizon authorized retailer in the U.S., announced that A Wireless is partnering with the company to donate 235,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children through TCC’s annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. Since 2013, TCC has donated more than 360,000 backpacks filled with supplies to ensure children are well prepared for the start of the school year, according to a press release.
Between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, July 30, the TCC store in La Plata, located at 9 Shining Willow Way, will donate 250 backpacks and each A Wireless store will donate 125 backpacks. All leftover backpacks will be donated to local schools. Backpacks will be filled with various school supplies, including pencils, paper, a pencil box, folders and glue. One backpack per child present will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last.
To learn more about TCC, visit http://tccrocks.com/.
CSM Twilight Performance Series returns to region
The College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) Twilight Performance Series returns for its 10th season this summer to offer free, family-friendly entertainment to area residents on the La Plata, Leonardtown and Prince Frederick campuses. Guests can expect to be entertained by national and local jazz, rock and military bands and CSM’s Children’s Theatre as well as by Chautauqua’s historical portrayals.
Performances by local and nationally recognized musicians will take place on Tuesdays, July 19 and 26 at the Leonardtown Campus; with Chautauqua performers at the La Plata Campus July 13 and 14 and a musical concert on July 20; and musical performances on Thursdays, July 21 and 28 at the Prince Frederick Campus.
CSM’s Children’s Theatre’s performance of “Spirit of Hispania: Hispanic Tales,” produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., will take place indoors on all three campuses, with performances at the Leonardtown Campus Aug. 2, the La Plata Campus Aug. 3, and the Prince Frederick Campus Aug. 4.
In the event of rain, performances will move indoors. On the La Plata Campus, performances will be in the Fine Arts Center; on the Leonardtown Campus, Building A, Auditorium; and on the Prince Frederick Campus, Building B, Multipurpose Room. Performances are subject to change. For schedules, visit http://www.csmd.edu/twilight.
The Twilight series will take place outdoors on the La Plata Campus Fine Arts (FA) Building lawn, the Leonardtown Campus great lawn, and the Prince Frederick Campus patio. Audience members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket as well as food or beverages (no alcohol permitted).
In addition to Chautauqua performances, the La Plata Campus Twilight Performance will include the U. S. Navy Band Commodores July 20 at 6:45 p.m.
Twilight Performances Series are funded in part by a grant from the St. Mary’s County Arts Council, awarded by the Maryland State Arts Council. For more information on sponsorships, call 301-934-7647 or go to http://csmd.edu/ Foundation.
For information on the Twilight Performance Series, go to http://www.csmd.edu/twilight.
CSM’s campuses are accessible to patrons with disabilities. Audio description for the visually impaired and sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired are available with a minimum two-week advanced notice. Contact the academic support/ADA coordinator at 301-934-7614.
County food and shelter agencies to receive funding
Charles County has been chosen to receive $23,886 by the State SetAside Committee under Phase 32 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., the Jewish Federations of North America, the Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. The local board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of
food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
A local EFSP Board, which will include representatives of the Charles County Government and local not-for-profit human service organizations, will determine how the funds awarded to Charles County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.
Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) Be private voluntary nonprofits or units of government; 2) Be eligible to receive federal funds; 3) Have an accounting system; 4) Practice nondiscrimination; 5) Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 6) If they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.
Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.
The local board agreed that all funds would go toward program expenses, with nothing allocated for administrative allowance.
Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Michael Bellis, chairman of the Charles County Homeless and Emergency Shelter Committee at 301-609-4844 or mbellis@unitedwaycharles.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is July 28.
Cooling centers available during summer heat
When the summer heat begins, it is important to stay cool and hydrated. The public buildings listed below are open during regular business hours for use by residents as cooling centers throughout the summer:
• Capital Clubhouse, 3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf
• Richard R. Clark Senior Center, 1210 Charles St., La Plata
• Nanjemoy Community Center, 4375 Port Tobacco Road, Nanjemoy
• Department of Community Services, 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco
• Charles County Public Libraries — La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Ave., La Plata; P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, 50 Village St., Waldorf; Potomac Branch, 3225 Ruth B. Swan Drive, Indian Head; Waldorf West Library, 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf
• Outdoor pools — La Plata High School, 6035 Radio Station Road, La Plata; Thomas Stone High School, 3785 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf; McDonough High School, 7165 Marshall Corner Road, Pomfret
• Indoor pools — Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center at St. Charles High School, 5305 Piney Church Road, Waldorf; North Point High School, 2500 Davis Road, Waldorf; Lackey High School, 3000 Chicamuxen Road, Indian Head
To avoid heat-related issues, take additional precautions if working or spending time outside during extreme heat. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
Citizens should call 911 in the event of any emergency, heat-related or otherwise. For additional preparedness information, go to www.ready.gov/heat or www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml. Information on heat illnesses can be found at dhmh. mar yland.gov/extremeheat/SitePages/Home.aspx.
Sheriff’s office invites residents to National Night Out
On Aug. 2, from 6-10 p.m., neighborhoods throughout Charles County are invited to team up with thousands of communities across the country for the 33rd Annual National Night Out (NNO). Sheriff Troy Berry (D) and members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office will join residents to celebrate the community’s alliance against crime, drugs and violence. Representatives from Charles County Crime Solvers, Explorers Post No. 1658 and even McGruff the Crime Dog and McGruff’s nephew Scruff will be on hand to meet residents.
The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) launched National Night Out 33 years ago. According to the website, NATW. org, “National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It furthermore provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together.”
Neighborhoods across Charles County will host block parties with food, games, music and other activities. Many residents will light their porch lights to demonstrate their support for NNO.
The CCSO is also holding its annual coloring contest for children ages 4-12 in participating neighborhoods. Neighborhood representatives will be provided with the coloring pages after their neighborhoods are registered for National Night Out. The coloring pages can then be distributed to the children in their particular communities. The artwork is due by Aug. 29 and can be turned in to any CCSO district station or to the Community Services office located on Audie Lane in La Plata. The pages will be judged, and two winners will be selected from several age groups.
The winners will be notified by mail, and awards will be presented in October.
Last year, 158 neighborhoods in Charles County participated in National Night Out.
To find out if a neighborhood is participating, to register a neighborhood to participate, or to make a donation to NNO, contact Community Organizer Connie Gray at 301-932-3080.