Leah’s House shelter struggles to keep up with rising demand

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

‘‘Right now, we’re well above capacity,” she said Friday afternoon.

The shelter, which is in the process of building a facility in Valley Lee, has 10 to 12 beds at its disposal. But, right now, the shelter is assisting 14 clients. ‘‘We’ve had to pull out a toddler bed here and a crib there,” Morris said.

The shelter received nine referrals two weeks ago and four referrals on Thursday alone last week. And Leah’s House, which provides services for victims of domestic violence and homeless women and children, has been forced to turn people away.

Even taking care of current clients has been a struggle because the department of social services’ budget for emergency shelter of women and children was depleted in March, leaving area shelters to ‘‘shoulder the full responsibility,” Morris said. ‘‘It’s a week to week thing” as far as meeting financial needs, she added.

So, fundraising and community support has become critical. To that end, Leah’s House of St. Mary’s County will be hosting a tea at Patuxent Presbyterian Church in California ion Saturday, July 12, from noon to 2 p.m. ‘‘We need this to be the single best fundraiser we’ve ever had,” Morris said more than once.

‘‘This has been a tremendous challenge the past few months.”

Organizers are looking for table hostesses for the upcoming tea. All a table hostess needs to do is gather enough family, friends or co-workers to fill a table of eight. The tea will feature refreshments catered by TCV Catering and a chance to honor several women in the community who are ‘‘quiet achievers,” according to Morris, who are ‘‘affiliated one way or another to Leah’s House as volunteers, board members or are people with impact” to the charity – Mary Ann Dale, Darlene Johnson, Stephanie Hall, Elizabeth Halvosa and Viola Gardner. Morris has high hopes for the tea. She hopes the event ‘‘generates support who want to wish these women well and support Leah’s House,” she said.

Tickets to the tea cost $20. For more information call Susan Miller, director of volunteer services for Leah’s House, at 301-994-9580 or e-mail at volunteer@leahshousemd.org.

SMECO awardsscholarships

SMECO has announced the recipients of its scholarships for 2008. Each year, SMECO awards four $1,500 college scholarships to high school seniors who live and attend high school in the co-op’s service area. Two of this year’s winners attended high school in St. Mary’s County.

Robert John Barthelmes, son of Robert and Kathleen Barthelmes of California, graduated from Leonardtown High School. Barthelmes was inducted into the National Honor Society in November 2006 and was later named president. Barthelmes was active in sports and was captain of the Leonardtown ice hockey and swim teams. Barthelmes was also a varsity player for the school lacrosse team and a varsity runner on the cross-country team. In addition to his participation in school sports, Barthelmes was treasurer of the French club. Barthelmes volunteered as a children’s nursery worker, a relief worker, a missionary and a Bible school director. He also supported various Southern Maryland charities through his activities with Christmas in April, March of Dimes, and Special Olympics. Barthelmes plans to attend Princeton University in New Jersey.

Adrienne Milner, daughter of Karen and James Summers of Waldorf, graduated from St. Mary’s Ryken High School. Milner was a member of the National Honor Society and worked with the school literary magazine and student newspaper. She has been a tutor for first- through sixth-grade students. Milner has also been a peer leader for Community Catholic Youth Ministry and a leader for middle school activities such as lock-ins and retreats. She has participated in various charitable fundraisers with youth involvement. Milner plans to attend St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

NARFE to sponsorupcoming trips

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, St. Mary’s Chapter 969, is sponsoring a three-day trip Aug. 25 to 27 to the Foxwoods Resort and Casino and Mystic Seaport Village in Connecticut and a five-day trip Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

To learn more, contact Pat Myers 301-884-8714. One does not have to be a NARFE member to participate.