County workers' Casual Day aids troops

May 04, 2003

On April 17, Washington County employees participated in a special "Honor and Support our Troops" Casual Day, in cooperation with the American Red Cross.

Checks from the Washington County Commissioners totaling $504 and a $25 personal check were sent to the Hagerstown Chapter of the Red Cross, representing donations from Washington County employees who participated in the special event.

Coordinators of the event asked that the funds be used for the Operation Keep Connected phone cards, to ship care packages to troops in the Middle East, or to benefit the troops in whatever manner is most needed at this time.

The funds are over and above those being collected for Operation Keep Connected in donation cans in county buildings. A Red Cross volunteer had made the event coordinators aware that funds were needed for shipping phone cards and other goods overseas.

The Casual Day event was one of a number of events held by the county to honor the troops, their families, and veterans. Employees dressed in red, white and blue on the casual day, and gathered on the steps of the County Administration Building to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing "God Bless America."

On April 22, all county residents serving in active duty, Guard or Reserve status, employees who are veterans and families of service personnel in the County were proclaimed "Citizens of the Year" by the County Commissioners.

Once each month, Washington County employees may participate in a "Special Casual Day" to benefit a nonprofit organization with an immediate need or an individual experiencing a personal emergency. Employees usually donate $2 each for the opportunity to "dress down" at work for a day.

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