Voices From The Readers

Community Support Lauded

Editor:

On behalf of the board of Lower Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Steve Pappas, Eileen Abeel, Great Scott Broadcasting, DJ Wax and the staff of the Original Greene Turtle for their unwavering support of the local Red Cross Chapter.

Everyone went far beyond the call of duty for last Sunday's Bull & Oyster Roast, considering it was the morning after the first snowstorm. It took a great deal of effort for the Greene Turtle staff and patrons to come out on a huge 'Snow Day'.

The Lower Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross which serves Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties has had an unusually challenging year, as flooding and freezing temperatures have tripled the number of humanitarian relief for the many families who have lost everything to house or apartment fires, for families requiring aid and shelter during recent snow and ice storms, and this years extensive flooding.

Military family service calls are up and the huge Haitian relief effort has also kept local Red Cross volunteers on their toes. In addition, the chapter is busy training a new generation of Jr. Red Cross club members in our tri-county high schools in CPR/AED and First Aid, as well as carrying out a plethora of certification courses to government organizations and the general public.

March is National Red Cross Month and community support for the Lower Shore Chapter is needed more than ever. The Greene Turtle has always recognized this and for that, we are grateful. The Lower Shore Chapter is not a government-funded organization; it is an independent chapter dependant upon community financial contributions. A check to the Lower Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross stays here, in the community to support its important humanitarian mission of educating, preparing & responding to the needs of over 20,000 individuals in our community.

Again, we are thankful to the Greene Turtle and any business or office that would like to sponsor a Red Cross fundraiser during MARCH Red Cross month.

Patti Miller

Ocean City

(The writer is a Lower Shore Red Cross Board Member.)

Thanks For Support

Editor:

The Worcester County Humane Society would like to thank all our supporters for a wonderful 2009, despite it being a difficult year economically for everyone.

We are so grateful for the fundraisers held for us, the monetary donations, food and supply donations and volunteers in our organization. We would especially like to thank the following: the staff at the Green Turtle in West Ocean City, for the Oyster Shucking Contest; Doris Tyson, for sale of crafts benefiting the Humane Society; our Springfest/Sunfest booth manager Bob Pisano and his wife Susan; Meggin Nicholson, Bob and Vonnie Baker, and Kristy Haley, for organizing/participation of our St. Patrick's Day Parade float; Kristy Haley, chairwoman for our main fundraising event, Boardwalkin for Pets; the staff at Seacrets and Bob and Vonnie Baker, for holding an after party after the dogwalk; the staff of Ocean Downs Racetrack, for hosting the fundraiser Western Night; the staff at Castle in the Sand, for holding a beach fundraiser; our beer truck manager Hal Adkins; Billy and Madlyn Carder of B.J.'s for hosting our annual Humane Society Dinner, which was organized by Barbara Waldych, as well as having your Christmas party patrons donate supplies, food, and money to our shelter; and the staff of Ocean City Elementary School, for inviting us for Christmas lunch, and providing supplies and monetary donations.

We also received numerous memorial donations this year; to all those people and their families, we thank you and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Kenille Davies

West Ocean City

(The writer is the president of the Worcester County Humane Society.)