Hope for the Holidays

12/18/2018

Washington College staffers helped out with the Lions Clubs of Kent County’s annual drive to provide more than 500 boxes of food and toys for Kent County’s less fortunate families.

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Under the watchful eye of Robyn Moore, executive director of the Kent County Christmas Basket Committee, dozens of volunteers gathered at the Worton Community Center Dec. 17 for a single purpose: to make Christmas a little brighter for 500 Kent County families. Among those volunteers were 60 Washington College staffers from admissions and financial aid, athletics, and the business office, where Moore is assistant controller. 

Since 2000 with Moore at the helm, the Lions Club has partnered with Social Services, coordinating the community-wide canned food drive and ordering food from the Maryland Food Bank to serve roughly 450-500 families each holiday season. This year, 500 Kent County families each received 50 pounds of food. Thanks to the Kent County 4-H Club, which handled the toy drive, 600 youngsters will also have a few items under the tree on Christmas morning.

“It’s great to see so many different groups of people contribute in some way,” says Moore, “whether through the canned food drive, the toy drive, coming out to help, or monetary donations. The intent is to reach as many people as we can without duplicating efforts. We’ve been able to help streamline efforts so that everyone who needs something is able to be served.” 

Several first-time volunteers were a bit awe-struck, Moore says. In all, 20,000 pounds of food were packed and distributed to needy families.

“Our team was absolutely amazed at the need in the county, as well as the number of people who were there to lend a hand,” she says. “It truly takes a village.”