Q. Why did you feel there was a need for this kind of organization in our local community?
In 1996 a needs assessment was made and determined the need in Worcester County for some “grassroots” type of help for the less fortunate. Wicomico County had Salvation Army, Joseph House, Urban Ministries and other nonprofits, but Worcester County did not have that kind of assistance except through the local churches, and Worcester is a large county. We received our nonprofit status in 1997.
Q. What are some of the specific services Worcester GOLD performs?
Our Mission: Worcester County GOLD, (Giving Other Lives Dignity), Inc., improves the quality of life of local citizens for whom traditional means of well-being support is not fully available. A non-profit volunteer-based organization, Worcester County GOLD promotes dignity by providing financial aid to children in foster care, vulnerable adults and families in crisis.
In a typical year, GOLD provides funds to vendors for food, housing, utilities, fuel, transportation and other emergency needs for more than 1500 citizens including families in crisis, vulnerable adults (seniors/disabled) and foster children in Worcester County. GOLD receives referrals for these services from social agencies such as Department of Social Services, Health Department, Worcester Youth and Family, clergy and schools. Additional, our Easter Basket project, School Supplies for Students and Helping Hands for the Holidays programs serve approximately 1,700 people each year, mostly children. We also operate
a Baby Pantry filled with diapers, wipes, formula and baby clothes and an Adult Pantry that provides Depends, pill dispensers, lap robes and other items for those in need. Each summer GOLD sponsors as many as 24 at-risk youth for day camps so that they can be supervised and entertained while their parents work.
Q. What kind of additional challenges do you face during the holiday season?
Our Helping Hands for the Holidays program is our major yearly project. Approximately 1,000 people were served last year with Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance. The Worcester County Bar Association donates 150 food boxes to GOLD each year the week before Thanksgiving that we distribute to families that have been referred to us by social agencies. In addition, approximately 300 families are also referred to us for Christmas help.
In Worcester County, many people are employed during the summer months with hotels and restaurants in Ocean City, but have no employment autumn through spring. Ten and one-half percent of our citizens live below the poverty level as opposed to 8.2 percent statewide. During slow economic times, the tourism industry also suffers and there's less work for those who depend upon various jobs in the construction field. Along with the unemployed in our beautiful beach-side county, many senior citizens reside here, too, more seniors than in any other Maryland county. Many in this population group need extra assistance from GOLD.
Q. How can people help contribute to this cause?
GOLD has always worked with a very small staff and a very large volunteer base. In order to provide holiday help to so many people, we match a referred family with a community sponsor—an individual, a civic club, an office group, a church—and the sponsor purchases gifts and food and delivers the items right to the family. Some sponsors send in donations for other volunteers to shop for families that do not get “adopted.”
During each holiday season, we add new names to our database, and since we check lists with other local agencies that also provide holiday assistance, we hear the same reports from them. Last-minute needs are often met by providing Food Lion or Wal Mart cards which are generously donated by the public.
Worcester County GOLD, Inc., 410-677-6830,
www.worcestergold.org
