The November edition of the Maryland VOAD Newsletter is now available. Find it here and sign up to receive additional newsletters each month to your inbox.
Do you have an update, event, or announcement to share with the rest of Maryland VOAD? Send your information and pictures to CommunicationsCoordinator@MarylandVOAD.org to be shared on our social media or by the 25th of each month to be included in the next newsletter issue.
Missed last month’s Newsletter? Find it here!
Check out the upcoming events below:
| DATES | Conference or Training Event | Location and Registration |
| 2024 Date varies by location | Central MD American Red Cross Training | Schedule and Registration |
| SAVE THE DATE! March 30-April 1, 2025 | 2025 Regional VOAD Meeting | Cacapon Resort Berkeley Springs, WV |
| SAVE THE DATE! May 19-22, 2025 | 2025 National VOAD Conference | The Galt House Louisville, KY |
Maryland Office of Resilience Unveils Comprehensive Resilience Toolkit
Empowering Communities With Funding Information, Planning Resources, and Technical Support to Tackle Future Challenges
The Maryland Office of Resilience (MOR), which is part of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM), is proud to announce the launch of the Maryland Resilience Toolkit, available at ResilientMaryland.com. This new tool is designed to equip local governments, State agencies, community leaders, businesses, and nonprofits with access to the resources needed to strengthen hazard resilience across Maryland.
The Maryland Resilience Toolkit is a one-stop shop for resilience information and resources that can help communities across the State adapt to and overcome a wide range of evolving risks, from climate change and natural hazards to infrastructure challenges. By offering access to resilience grant opportunities and best practices, the Toolkit ensures that Maryland’s unique communities—from urban centers to rural towns—can build stronger infrastructure, protect their environments, and safeguard their people.
“The key to a resilient Maryland lies within our State’s ability to be prepared to adapt, withstand, and swiftly recover from disruptions to daily life,” said Secretary Russ Strickland of MDEM. “The Maryland Resilience Toolkit offers our communities the resources they need to shape a more resilient Maryland, where communities thrive.”
Who Is the Toolkit for?
The Toolkit’s development represents Maryland’s ongoing commitment to proactive resilience planning. It underscores the belief that resilience must be collaborative, inclusive, and far-reaching—touching not just coastal areas, but every community across the State.
Help get the tools to outfit the Tool Trailer!
Our Community Support Campaign to purchase high quality tools that will be used by our volunteer work crews is underway. Maryland VOAD members have hosted the trailer on their property to support invitations for their members, family, friends, and neighbors to get involved.
Host the trailer at your location, by emailing chairperson@marylandvoad.org.
Visit the website for the tools list and to find out other ways to support the Community Support Campaign.
Maryland VOAD welcomes new members. Join the movement today!
To request an application, send an email to membership@marylandvoad.org.
Check out the full list of our Current Members, Partners, and Affiliates.
MDEM launches a new Maryland Business Emergency Operation Center (MBEOC) webpage.
The Maryland Business Emergency Operations Center (MBEOC) is a private-public partnership platform and central coordination mechanism within the SEOC structure, developed for coordination and enhanced information sharing with trusted private sector, nonprofit and faith-based organizations before, during and after disasters.
The new MBEOC webpage provides a link to sign up for updates, contact information, archived briefs for reference, the situational awareness dashboard, reporting links, and general critical infrastructure and recovery information. The volunteering section lists MD VOAD as a resource. (Woot! Woot!)
Make sure to save the page for future reference and thank you for your partnership!
Baltimore-Washington & Peninsula-Delaware Conference Area (of the United Methodist Church)
Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conferences, local UMCOR Affiliates, are now one Episcopal area. Each Annual Conference is a member of Maryland VOAD. Each Annual Conference is currently organizing local congregations to make cleaning buckets, hygiene kits, or feminine kits that will be distributed through the Connection to support survivors in the impacted area. Training for Early Response teams was conducted on October 26th to support future deployment to assist with debris removal, tarping, and clean up. Baltimore-Washington Peninsula-Delaware
Baptist Convention of MD/DE
Ellen Udovich from Baptist Convention Maryland/Delaware is in the mission field and provides situational awareness so local congregations are able to provide resources needed as the immediate crises phase passes.
Mid-Maryland Baptist Association shares the story.
Buddhist Tzu Chi Mid-Atlantic Region
Following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, Tzu Chi Mid-Atlantic, in cooperation with Tzu Chi USA, is sending emergency relief teams to affected areas to deliver emergency cash cards, environmentally friendly blankets, and daily necessities to survivors.
Visit the web to learn more.
Brethren Disaster Ministries – Children’s Disaster Services
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has sent new volunteers to serve affected children and families, as the first two CDS teams to work in North Carolina following Hurricane Helen have completed their service in shelters there, serving with the Red Cross, and have returned home.
At least 162 “child contacts” have been made so far by the CDS teams. “. . .CDS is grateful for our volunteers who show compassion to young children in this difficult time,” said Carolyn Neher, associate director of Children’s Disaster Services. (Read More)
Disaster Aid USA
This summer, when Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas, and left its mark of destruction across communities, countless families faced the heartbreak of losing their homes and livelihoods.
Disaster Aid USA was on the ground, providing immediate relief and essential supplies to those hit hardest.
HEART 9/11
HEART 9/11 deployed two teams to Perry and Port Charlotte, Florida, and a third team is working in Mitchell County, North Carolina, to clear trees and debris from roads and homes following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
HEART 9/11’s highly skilled volunteers are assisting with emergency operations, debris clearing, damage assessments, muckouts, and clean-up.
Information Technology Disaster Resource Center
Tropical Storm Debby became the fourth named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season Initial field and remote support teams from Information Technology Disaster Resource Center were quickly identified and mobilized.
Coordination and calls with cross-sector partners enabled this team to support with any technology needs the affected communities.
Visit the website to learn more.
Mercy Chefs
Mercy Chefs provides chef-prepared, nutritious meals and clean water for victims, volunteers and first responders in natural disasters and emergencies across the country. The team is experienced in providing relief following hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, extreme winter weather and other emergencies.
Mercy Chefs are currently responding to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, serving across multiple states. See updates by clicking the links above.
Operation BBQ Relief
On August 14, 2024, Operation BBQ Relief’s deployment to Florida came to a close. This dynamic group of volunteers served 19,545 hot meals to those impacted by Hurricane Debby in the communities of Sarasota and Old Town.
The dedication of the volunteers and the support from staff, sponsors, and community partners made it possible to bring comfort and nourishment to those in need during this challenging time.
Visit the website to learn about the 1,000,000 meals served for Hurricane Helene and Milton.
Adventist Community Services
Adventist Community Services is on the ground and responding to the needs of those affected by the Hurricane Helene.
Distributing fresh water, clean clothes, cleaning buckets are a few of the activities provided. Visit here to learn more.
Lutheran Church – Southeastern District
The Southeastern District Disaster Response Team has been activated. The Lutheran Church is coordinating with local and state officials as well as partners at Lutheran Servants for Christ, LERT, and LCMS Disaster Response.
Team Rubicon
Capturing Simple Acts of Kindness Among Milton’s Devastation. A hurricane relief volunteer, with Team Rubicon, steps out from behind the camera lens and reflects on the gifts he received in serving.
We appreciate all the ways Maryland VOAD members, and their affiliates, support survivors and rise up to fill in where there is an unmet need.
Please continue to support the great work and fulfill the mission of Maryland VOAD.
HELP NEEDED: Clean-Up Buckets Needed
Church World Service (CWS) needs more Clean-Up Bucket Kits: CWS, a Maryland VOAD member, requests your help to gather clean-up buckets.
Zach Wolgemuth, the CWS Director of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, reported that as of this morning, the organization has authorized/shipped “3,296 Emergency Cleanup Buckets valued at $247,200 and 4,360 Hygiene Kits valued at $65,400 to partners in the impacted region. Additional requests for kits and blankets are coming in almost daily. Unfortunately, the Emergency Cleanup Bucket inventory is less than 1,000 buckets in inventory.”
Can you put together bucket kits that can be sent to help survivors? More information is at https://cwskits.org/assemble-kits.
Kits can be delivered in Maryland at:
Brethren Service Center Annex
601 Main St., PO Box 188
New Windsor, MD 21776
Monday-Friday 7:30 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 4 pm
Contact: Glenna Thompson (410) 635-8797
Progress continues to be made in Crisfield and Somerset County. Considering year-end spending in a community project making a huge impact – consider the Adopt A Home Program.
Review the Project Status.
Consider making a DONATION before the year ends.
National Preparedness Month is observed in September each year. While that special observance is over – Maryland VOAD encourages all members, partners and friends to remain ready.
Visit Ready.gov to access preparedness materials in multiple languages and build your own Basic Disaster Supplies Kit.
Disaster can strike at any time so Remain Ready.
