Washington County shelter, theater, other causes to benefit from Rotary Foundation grants

Mike Lewis, The Herald-Mail
·2 min read

Jeannie Asbury told Hagerstown Rotary Club members Thursday that their grant to Reach will help improve safety at the shelter for people in need.

"The cold weather shelter last year served 222 individuals, and out of that 116 had a mental illness," Asbury, executive director of Reach, said during a luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Hagerstown, MD on Wednesday.

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At that luncheon, the Rotary Foundation distributed more than $60,000 to 22 charitable organizations. The recipients ranged from entertainment venues, such as Potomac Playmakers and The Maryland Theatre, to causes like Reach, to the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts.

Asbury said Reach wants to remain what she called a "low-barrier" shelter, granting entry to as many people as possible. At the same time, they want to ensure safety for clients, staff members and volunteers.

The $4,500 grant from Rotary will go toward the purchase of an X-ray machine. Reach will use it to scan people's belongings "quickly and safely to identify items and keep people safe," she said.

John Latimer, president of the Hagerstown Rotary Foundation, speaks Wednesday, to Rotart Club members and representatives of organizations that received funding through the foundation. The luncheon was held at Nick's Airport Inn.
John Latimer, president of the Hagerstown Rotary Foundation, speaks Wednesday, to Rotart Club members and representatives of organizations that received funding through the foundation. The luncheon was held at Nick's Airport Inn.

The 22 grants totaled $60,437, according to a Rotary news release.

Fundraising events held by the Rotary Club of Hagerstown, MD and donations to the Foundation for specific charitable purposes provide the basis of the annual grants awarded.

This year, for example, the 2021 golf tournament raised more than $40,000. The Rotary of Hagerstown Bull and Oyster Roast is another popular foundation fundraiser.

The Hagerstown Rotary Club was incorporated January 14, 1915. For years, many community service projects were funded personally by members of the club or their businesses.

In 1980, the Rotary Club of Hagerstown, MD Foundation was organized exclusively for charitable purposes.

Funds are distributed to Washington County nonprofit organizations for capital expense projects.

Rotarians and representatives of charitable organizations pose after a luncheon where the Rotary Foundation awarded more than $60,000 to various organizations. The luncheon was held at Nick's Airport Inn on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
Rotarians and representatives of charitable organizations pose after a luncheon where the Rotary Foundation awarded more than $60,000 to various organizations. The luncheon was held at Nick's Airport Inn on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

Since 1980, and including Wednesday's total, the foundation has awarded $2,214,440 to local charitable organizations.

The organizations receiving grants Wednesday were:

  • Aspiring To Serve: $5,000

  • Barbara Ingram School for the Arts: $540

  • Boys and Girls Club of Washington County: $3,000

  • Breast Cancer Awareness of Cumberland Valley Inc.: $2,000

  • CASA: $1,500

  • Children in Need Inc.: $832

  • Community Free Clinic Inc.: $4,000

  • Girls Inc. of Washington County: $2,500

  • Interfaith Coalition of Hancock Md. Inc.: $1,750

  • Lasting Change/Recovery Solutions for Women: $1,000

  • Maryland Theater Association Inc.: $2,450

  • Mason-Dixon Boy Scouts of America: $5,000

  • MiHi Inc.: $2,015

  • Potomac Playmakers Inc.: $2,000

  • Reach of Washington County: $4,500

  • Salvation Army: $5,000

  • United Way of Washington County: $5,000

  • Washington County Arts Council: $3,000

  • Washington County Commission on Aging: $1,850

  • Washington County Museum of Fine Arts: $2,500

  • Wells House: $1,350

  • Women’s Club Foundation: $3,650

Mike Lewis covers business, the economy and other issues. Follow Mike on Twitter: @MiLewis.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Rotary Foundation presents grants to Washington County organizations