Fest highlights Orphan Grain Train’s efforts
Orphan Grain Train got to showcase its new Maryland headquarters Sept. 8 when rain forced much of its International Festival indoors.
The barn-like structure at 621 East-West Blvd. in Millersville was opened to give the public a chance to get a peak at the nonprofit’s mission.
Protected against intermittent squalls by an umbrella, volunteer Paul Kowalczyk acted as a go-between for food and beverage purveyors beneath outdoor tents and organizers inside. By the entrance, board members Steve and Linda Zahn greeted guests.
Recently retired from her former position as Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber director, Linda assisted with publicity and supported the event.
“Instead of holding a fundraiser at a local restaurant, as in the past, the board decided to hold a festival at our facility this year to show people what we actually do,” she said. “Most locals only know Orphan Grain Train from seeing its floats in the Severna Park Independence Day Parades.”
This year’s float featuring a train symbolized the group’s beginnings while a replica headquarters building symbolized 25 plus branches across the U.S.
Founded by Grace Lutheran Church pastor Ray S. Wilke in Norfolk, Neb. in 1992, Orphan Grain Train used a train to collect grain through the Midwest as it wound toward the coast, then shipped the grain to an orphanage in Latvia. The railroad protocol made the “grain train” concept impractical so the organization shifted its approach.
Now a nonprofit Christian volunteer organization, the Orphan Grain train is dedicated to helping people in need locally, nationally and internationally.
To illustrate Orphan Grain Train’s current-day mission, Steve Zahn volunteered to conduct tours of the headquarters/warehouse complex. Skirting the foyer where guests mingled, he showed off a gallery of photographs of worldwide aid efforts pointing to each in turn.
“This one shows a shipment of shoes, clothing and school supplies being delivered to Liberia,” he said, “while the next is of pillowcases being distributed to women in Nicaragua to make ‘pillowcase dresses.’ The photo of volunteers building houses was taken during our disaster relief efforts in Crisfield, Md. after Hurricane Sandy in 2012.”
Entering the warehouse, he indicated rows of boxes on shelves near the ceiling meant for local distribution. Volunteers from Opportunity Builders, Bello Machre, and local churches and schools meet Mondays and Tuesdays to pack or repack boxes.
A donation of 2,000 pairs of Bombas socks will shortly be delivered to homeless shelters in Baltimore City.
Moving past a wall lined with hospital beds, Zahn stopped to introduce warehouse manager Norm Giguere who explained day-to-day operations.
“Most of the medical equipment behind me will be shipped to hospitals overseas but it’s also offered on loan free of charge to anyone who needs it locally,” Giguere said. “In addition to beds, cribs and baby incubators there are wheelchairs, walkers and crutches, anesthesia equipment, and hepatitis testing devices”
Donations of medical equipment from local hospitals with years of life left in them arrive regularly. Because of American hospitals’ higher standards, their equipment and beds are required to be replaced after specified amounts of time or usage.
“In poorer countries, where patients may never have slept in an actual bed, hospitals are grateful to get them – used or not,” said Giguere.
Orphan Grain Train’s branch manager Elfie Eberle noted seven containers of supplies and equipment were already shipped this year and said Orphan Grain Train’s “medical shunt” program is a success.
“Shunts are medical devices planted in the brain. Each one saves a life,” Eberle said. “We’ve distributed 2,500 shunts donated by manufacturer Integra Life Sciences in New Jersey around the world. They’re valued at a million and a half dollars.”
Beyond informative tours and delicious food, the festival featured entertainment with an international flavor.
Tartan clad bagpiper Jay Barringer played a mix of Scottish airs, laments and jigs. He was followed by the traditionally costumed Malunas Lithuanian Folk Dance Group from Baltimore performing charming Eastern European folk dances.
Liberian vocalist Maggie Harris was next on the bill singing a mix of traditional and popular music from West Africa with a distinctly tribal beat while singer Mike Ditch waved the red, white and blue to end the program with American patriotic standards.
With 250 volunteers, from as far away as Silver Spring, Orphan Grain Train’s expenses are practically nil. So, 98.3 percent of donations go toward its missions and projects with 1.7 percent going toward administrative and fundraising expenses.
Orphan Grain Train is collecting hurricane disaster relief items including five gallon buckets, bleach, paper towels, rags, cleanser, mops, blankets, and health kits. Drop off times are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.—1p.m. at the its warehouse.
For information or to volunteer or donate to Orphan Grain Train, visit www.ogt.org .