Drive to help sick kids still chugging along

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Su Crutchfield, owner of Wild Lily Designs in North Beach, took a two-week break from her business to start a fundraising campaign for the Believe in Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation after being inspired by the success of fundraisers on Oprah Winfrey’s show ‘‘The Big Give.”But Crutchfield, along with the friends and colleagues she mobilized for the effort, have learned that it isn’t as easy as it seemed on T.V.

The charity Crutchfield chose provides various types of housing help for seriously ill children and their families. But despite the worthiness of the cause, cash has not exactly been rolling in.

‘‘Without star power behind us ... we have not earned as much money as that and so I’m back to my regular life. We’ve kept the charity open and we’re still getting donations trickling in from people we contacted,” but so far the group has raised less than $1,000, Crutchfield said.

‘‘The team is a little discouraged, I think,” she said. ‘‘Gee, we couldn’t even get people to send us $1. Everyone was very nice. ... I learned a lot. I’m not sorry I did it. People here have charitable hearts, but they’re very busy. You have to remind them five times, ‘Hey, aren’t you going to give us a check?’”

The effort began a month ago and was only supposed to last two weeks, but Crutchfield and her allies are still plugging away, planning a bingo fundraiser for some time in the future.

And it’s not too late to participate. For more information about Believe in Tomorrow Foundation, go to www.firstgiving.com⁄webelieveintomorrow. To donate time or resources, contact Crutchfield at 301-855-2260, or via e-mail at wildlilysu@ gmail.com.

Learn from an expert about Maryland archaeology

Learn about the ground beneath your feet today, April 30, in honor of the last day of Maryland Archaeology Month. Kathy Concannon of the Maryland Archeological Conservation Laboratory will discuss local archaeology during a 7 p.m. talk at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 850 Costley Way. The event is free and no reservations are required.

The lab, part of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard, houses more than 7 million artifacts, according to a release. ‘‘Concannon will discuss the important role the MAC Lab plays in preserving archaeological collections from across the State of Maryland. Interesting artifacts will also be profiled,” according to the release.

The talk is hosted by the Kiwanis Club of CalvertCounty.

Exercise for a cause

Another event for the last day of the month is the 2008 Special Olympics Track and Field Meet, to be held at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rain date is May 1. The free race is open to all Calvert County special education students, and more than 300 participants are expected this year, according to a release.

A 5K run⁄walk on Saturday, May 17, will benefit Special Olympics Calvert County. Registration starts at 9 a.m. in front of the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, while the event starts at 10 a.m. Participation is free but those with at least $25 in pledges will get a T-shirt, according to a release.

New ‘‘SouthernMaryland Trails”edition on the way

Time is also running out to be listed in the third edition of the ‘‘Southern Maryland Trails — Earth, Art and Imagination” guidebook to important economic and cultural sites.

May 1 is the last day to have a business, museum or other site listed in the guide. The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission is also looking for businesses and individuals to partner with them by sponsoring the ‘‘free comprehensive guide highlighting Southern Maryland’s farms, art studios and galleries, gardens, museums related to natural resources or agriculture, natural or scenic sites, locally owned lodgings, and restaurants and historic sites,” according to a release.

‘‘The Trails program benefits our area in several ways,” Christine Bergmark, executive director of the commission, said in a release. ‘‘It complements tourism efforts; it creates an identity that enhances our region’s unique character, and it reaffirms our own awareness of the culture, heritage and natural gifts of Southern Maryland.”

For sponsorship information, contact SMADC by phone: 301-274-1922, e-mail info@somarylandsogood.com, or go to www.somdtrails.com.

For participation as a new Trails partner site: selection criteria, applications and Trails Program information can be accessed by going to www.somdtrails.com.Ê

Tractors needed

Give your old farm equipment one last day in the sun, or one of many, at the 23rd Annual Children’s Day on the Farm at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard. Organizers of the June 1 event are seeking antique tractors, cars and farm machinery to help children learn about the county’s agricultural heritage. Restored and ‘‘as is” equipment are welcome, and working equipment can join a noon parade. Interested? Contact Megan Williams at mwilliams@ mdp.state.md.us or 410-586-8557.