Fund Drive

When Mike McKee's wife, Patsy, died in March, he began looking for someone who could benefit from the handicapped-equipped van that was donated to her about three years ago. The search led McKee, right, to Kimberly Hose, 27, left, who lives with her parents, Randy and Beverly Hose, west of Clear Spring. "It gave me a good feeling," McKee said. "Patsy was a very special person - she would have wanted this. " The van came to the McKees via a fund drive started by his sister and then championed by residents, churches and the Clear Spring Lions Club, which found the van on the Internet and arranged for it to be brought to Clear Spring from the metropolitan area.

Christmas parade set for Dec. 13 SMITHSBURG -- Smithsburg will have its Christmas parade Dec. 13, but Smithsburg Town Council members learned Tuesday night that not everyone is gung-ho about the idea. Council members learned that a person affiliated with a local school band that is expected to be in the parade has concerns about the event. There was concern that any cold weather could affect the ability to play instruments in the parade. Mayor Mildred "Mickey" Myers said if people don't want to participate, maybe the town will not sponsor it anymore.

Community briefs Teen Read Week set for Oct. 15-21 Middle and high school students in Washington County secondary public schools will observe Teen Read Week from Oct. 15-21. Teen Read Week is an annual observance celebrating the fun of reading. The Washington County Young Adult Literature Study Group will kick off Teen Read Week Saturday, Oct. 14, at Border's Bookstore from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students from middle and high schools will present readers' theater, skits, oral interpretations, book talks and more.

Pancake breakfast set for Saturday The Maugansville Ruritan Club will host a pancake breakfast in their building on Saturday from 6:30 to 11. The menu includes all the pancakes and sausage you can eat. Tickets cost $5 for adults, $3 for those 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. All proceeds of the event help to support the many charitable programs the club sponsors. Fire company plans basket bingo The Maugansville Fire Co. will hold a basket bingo on Sunday at the fire station.

By MARLO BARNHART Staff Writer When Valerie Damico stepped up Wednesday to receive the 1997 Jesse Kagle/United Way of Washington County scholarship award, she had a very special thank you. "I thank my God for allowing me to be sober and to be here," Damico said at the United Way's 40th annual meeting. Damico was recommended for the annual scholarship by Sue Summerfelt, executive director of W House, who described her as a very committed young woman with a natural ability to assist those in need.

By MARLO BARNHART Staff Writer The Washington County United Way's 1996 fund drive raised $1.6 million, officials said at Wednesday's awards luncheon at The Venice Inn. The final tally was 86.5 percent of the $1.8 million goal, according to Maureen Theriault, community relations director. The 24-member agencies will share $1,137,514 of that figure. The rest goes for fund-raising and administration. Last year's fund drive raised just over $1.5 million, Theriault said.

CRS short of goal by $100,000 By DAN KULIN / Staff Writer Community Rescue Service's 2000 subscription and fund-raising drive is about $100,000 short of its goal, but the ambulance company's interim director, J. Michael Nye, hopes December contributions and an upcoming subscription drive aimed at businesses will make up the difference. Overall, CRS received more money from fewer subscribers this year than in 1999. A primary factor is that CRS increased most of its subscription rates for 2000.

marlob@herald-mail.com Ground was broken Wednesday for the long-awaited gymnasium at Girls Inc. "Although we officially kicked off the fund drive five years ago, we have actually been raising money for this project for 10 years," said Girls Inc. Executive Director Maureen Grove. "It's an historic moment. " The 108 foot by 82 foot gym will be connected to the west side of the existing building at 626 Washington Ave., nearly filling that empty lot. Excel Construction Co. of Hagerstown will begin work on the $1 million-plus building within the next few weeks, according to Dick Gruber, volunteer project manager.

Christmas kettle drives assist area Salvation Army agencies By MARLO BARNHART marlob@herald-mail.com When Capt. Butch Mallard of the Salvation Army in Hagerstown got his Christmas wish in 2001, so did more than 4,500 people in the community. Figures from the 2001 Christmas kettle fund drive were better than Mallard had hoped, especially in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which many felt might dilute holiday charity giving. The agency raised $82,000 in its 2001 Christmas kettle drive, a $14,000 increase over last year's receipts and $12,000 over this year's goal, Mallard said Sunday.