Summer Outreach Success

Glade Valley Community Services, Inc. reports another fullfilling summer for the Summer Outreach of Walkersville Area Churches (SOWAC). The porgram offered fun activities at Discovery Community Center (June 22-Aug. 14) and Creamery Park (June 22-July 24). The program provides a healthy lunch and good adult interaction and supervision for youths aged eighteen years and younger who otherwise may not have the opportunity to enjoy games and crafts, or just to have an adult to talk to during the daytime in the summer. On average, about thirty-five people participated each day at Discovery, and about fifteen participated each day at Creamery Park.

This program continues to be made possible through the volunteer efforts of a number of people from area churches and organizations in the Walkersville area. Most of the food was provided by the Frederick Community Action Agency, and Glade Valley Community Services provided the funds for the additional food needed, along with crafts, games and other needed supplies. The churches who served this summer at the Discovery site were St. Timothy Catholic Church, Calvary Assembly of God, Peace in Christ Lutheran Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sunnyside New Life Community Church and Pure Love Foundation. The churches that served at Creamery Park were Fredericktown Baptist Church, Community of Christ Church, Walkersville Community Church and Glade United Church of Christ.

The Walkersville Library supported the program by reading to the children one day a week and giving away books. The Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company came to each site to talk about fire safety as well as other safety issues children should know about. There were dance lessons, art lessons and a karate demonstration in Discovery by Kicks Karate. Amy Queen made the arrangements for many of these activities. Thank you to all the individuals who brought enrichment opportunities to our youth.

The GVCS SOWAC committee coordinated the volunteers and churches at each site, arranged for demonstrations and activities from community organizations and supplied craft materials. Members of the GVCS committee were Mike Garst, chair, and a member from each of the participating churches. The main responsibilities for the volunteer organizations are to help serve lunch and interact with the kids in ways that show love and caring for them. It’s the only program like this in Frederick County.

Thank you to everyone who helped with this program. Your generous gift of time and effort are greatly appreciated.

As always, new volunteers are always needed, so if anyone or any organization has an interest in learning more about this program or in helping in any way next summer, please contact Mike Garst at Michaelggarst@gmail.com or 301-606-6986.