Make a Difference Day Report from Participants:

Bonny Boltz visited the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home on Saturday October 26, 2013 along with Rachel Drake, Matthew Boltz, Tricia Kempf, Ken Kempf, Jennifer Drake, Meredith Wood, Chris Wood, and Rachael McRorie.  Each of these individuals provided freshly baked cookies and little goodie bags filled with socks.  The team collectively brought books, combs, playing cards, toothbrushes, toothpaste, alarm clocks, soda pop, and stationery all obtained through a drove at their local church (Real Life Wesleyan Church).  The Charlotte Hall Veterans Home is a program within the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs and is the only Veterans home in the State of Maryland.  The Home provides the support and services required for shelter, sustenance, medical care, and social services necessary to maintain the resident’s medical condition and quality of life.  It is a 454-bed facility providing a continuum of care from the 168-bed Assisted Living unit to a higher level of care in the 286-Skilled Nursing Home.  Specialized care, for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, is provided in two 42-bed secured units.  Charlotte Hall Veterans Home also provides services for eligible spouses who are unable to take care of themselves due to age or disability.  Because they already had a previous engagement booked on the 20th of October, this same team has scheduled to actually speak and visit with 9 different Veterans on 20 November and then “share their story” with Sigma Beta Delta.  I did not take pictures at this visit as our time was limited.  However, we WILL be taking pictures during our 20 November visit and will provide the update to you.  I realize this is AFTER the event; however, I think it might be a good to add as a follow up to our SBD Newsletter.  Here is a picture of the home:

Karena Faust and her team of three brought homemade cupcakes, muffins and cookies to the Veterans Home on Saturday October 26, where they joined efforts with the Blue Star Moms and an Antique Car group passing out goodies to over 25 Veterans.  They were unable to spend a whole lot of personal quality time but they did receive a tour from the activity coordinator at the home.  Karena and her team learned that the “Vets love chocolate” and that the Home is looking at alternative treats for those who are diabetic and cannot have sweets.

Donald Barnett and his daughter visited the Covenant House Homeless Shelter in St. Louis.  They canvased several neighborhoods in their city, collected canned goods, sweets, hygiene products, and toiletries, and then delivered the results to the shelter.  Interviews with homeless vets were also conducted.