We Care and Friends

Nonprofits Urge Annapolis City Council to Continue Funding Community Grants

Larry Griffin — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:27:46 +0000

It was clear when Larry finished talking that…
Annapolis needs We Care and Friends and We Care and Friends needs Annapolis.

It was a powerful evening and a reminder of how important our work is with the local communities. There were at least one dozen people in the room supporting We Care and Friends during our three minute testimony. Four clients stood at the podium and shared their personal journey through homelessness, addiction and desperation with the help of Larry Griffin and We Care and Friends. The stories ranges from clients who lived in the streets and struggled with addiction to clients who had lost their place in their family and community. A pastor from Downtown Hope spoke about how his partnership with We Care and Friends has benefited the community and their church. Larry closed the testimony with his thanks for their support through the years and that “We need you, and you need us.” Mayor Josh Cohen thanked our clients for sharing their challenging stories with the council and the public. The testimony was closed to a round of applause and “Amens.”

Check out the story in the Annapolis Patch

School on the Water Field Trip to Adkins Aboretum

Larry Griffin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:57:45 +0000

Sponsor a Trip for the Kids

Larry Griffin started the School on the Water camp five years ago to make sure that these local Annapolis kids would not fall through the cracks in society. The campers come three days a week for free to experience trips outside of Annapolis, time on the Chesapeake Bay and, this year, interactions with artists at Maryland Hall. We have kids that have been with us from the beginning embracing the mentoring of our crew.

On August 6, the Adkins Arboretum will have the kids come to learn about local streams and forests. Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve on Maryland’s Eastern Shore dedicated to promoting the appreciation and conservation of the region’s native plants. The Adkins team is enthusiastic about having our crew and making special accommodations for their trip.

Please make a donation for the Adkins Aboretum trip through our website to help the kids with transportation, lunch, and admission. For $500, we can cover the cost of the day for 35 campers and 7 counselors for an adventure outside of Annapolis. You can send $10 or $100 as each trip will incur different costs.

Get Your Tickets for Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival 2012

Larry Griffin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:06:50 +0000

Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival
Sandy Point State Park, Maryland

Save over 35% Buy tickets online before March 15, 2012

Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival (the story) is one of the premier Blues Festivals in the world. The festival provides top caliber entertainment and gives ALL net proceeds to charity. We Care and Friends has been with the the Blues Festival since the beginning. The donated festival proceeds are a major contribution to the annual WCAF working funds.

2012 Lineup:

Saturday, May 19th
The Chesapeake Bay Blues Band with: Tom Principato, Patty Reese, Gaye Adegbalola and Ron Hollway
Honey Island Swamp Band
Janiva Magness
Delta Guitar Slingers w/ Michael Burks
Bernard Allison & Lurrie Bell
Ruthie Foster
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Tedeschi Trucks Band

Sunday, May 20th
Albert Cummings
Lydia Pense and Cold Blood
Michael Williams Band
Philipp Fankhauser
Shemekia Copeland
JJ Grey and Mofro
Jonny Lang

Ramping Up for Kid’s Summer Program

Larry Griffin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:26:06 +0000

Chesapeake Bay is waiting for our campers

Create big change for a small price by supporting our School on the Water camp through your donations.

The camp is free for up to 35 campers ages 7-16 coming back year after year for mentoring, tutoring, unique trips, and boating on the Chesapeake Bay. We have seen huge progress in kids struggling socially and academically who have gained confidence through building relationships, earning honor roll, and learning job skills.

Current Funding Needs for the Campers can be submitted through Donations online or by check:

Bus transportation for trips
Lunches
Swim suits and shoes
Museum admission costs
School supplies
Environmental science expedition with the Sultana in Chestertown, Maryland

Make Someone’s Day With A Bag Lunch

Larry Griffin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:09:55 +0000

Now that 2012 is well underway, many of us are checking in to see if we are sticking with our new year’s resolutions. Here’s a simple and fun way to do more for the community. We Care and Friends is seeking donations of bagged lunches for those in need at the Stanton Center each week.

How do we volunteer to make one week of lunches for those in need?

Check the calendar for availability and email us at wecareandfriends@yahoo.com to sign up.
Organize a bagged lunch assembly with five to ten people from your office, school, church, Scout troop or neighborhood
Purchase supplies for just about $1.10 per lunch
Assemble 100 bagged lunches in under an hour with your team (yes, it is possible:)
Drop off lunches at the We Care and Friends office on Wednesday afternoons or Thursday mornings

The bagged lunches will be distributed to those in need. For many of our clients, including children, a healthy lunch from We Care and Friends can be the difference in whether or not someone in Annapolis goes hungry. This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to get involved and give back to the community.