The March 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 |
| 2025 Date varies by location | Central MD American Red Cross Training | Schedule and Registration |
| March 10, 2025 | Maryland VOAD FY2024-2025 3rd Quarter Meeting | Adventist Community Services, Chesapeake Conference Offices 6600 Martin Road Columbia, Maryland 21044 |
| March 17, 2025 | 2025 Mid-Atlantic VOAD Conference Lodging Deadline | Cacapon State Park Lodge Call: 304-258-1022 Use Code: VOAD |
| Register Now! March 30-April 1, 2025 | 2025 Annual Mid-Atlantic VOAD Regional Conference | Cacapon Resort Berkeley Springs, WV Register here! |
| April 22, 2025 | Whole Community Integration 5th Annual Summit | Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel – Towson, MD Register today! |
| Book Your Room Now May 19-22, 2025 | 2025 National VOAD Conference | The Galt House Louisville, KY |
1 p.m. March 30 to Noon April 1, 2025
Location: Cacapon Resort State Park Lodge, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
Theme: Beyond Band-Aids: Dismantling Systemic Inequities that Fuel Disaster Vulnerability
Keynote Presenter:
Dr. Cassandra R. Davis, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
You must REGISTER BY MARCH 17!
Questions: Should you have any questions, please contact Bruce Morgenstern, Conference Registration Committee, at treasurer@marylandvoad.org.
The Planning Committee is pleased to invite you, your corporation, business, or organization to become a Conference Sponsor. Your sponsorship can be financial and/or support in planning and delivering the conference. Review the 2025 Mid-Atlantic VOADs Regional Conference Sponsorship Opportunities Fact Sheet for additional information.
Conference sponsorship opportunities include an overall corporate Conference sponsor, sponsors for specific events such as breaks, breakfasts, lunches, or possibly dinner on the first night. Non-financial support can include assistance in producing conference materials and staffing support during the conference.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss potential sponsorship, contact Clifford Oliver, Ph.D., CEM, CBCP, member of the Conference Planning Committee and Sponsorship Chair at coliver@nanticokeglobal.com or (302) 470-0535.
For additional information, go to: Regional Conference
HOPE Animal-Assistance Crisis Response Team provide support to the Red Cross with Ha’Tikvah and Micah. Also pictured are their trainers Shellie and Burton Goldstein.
HOPE volunteers were present at the Family Assistance Center from January 31 – February 5 providing support to family members of those who lost the lives. Emotional support was also available for the staff of American Airlines, National Transportation Association and the American Red Cross.
The team was also invited by the US Figure Skating Sports Science and Medicine Committee to support the “Legacy on Ice” event in DC that was held Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Legacy on Ice will honor the 67 lives lost and raise funds to support victims’ families and the first responders and aviation professionals who worked tirelessly in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Maryland VOAD, in support of the Eastern Shore Long Term Recovery Committee, has been responding in the Crisfield community since October of 2021. There will be a screening of a new documentary about Crisfield called “on Water’s Edge” in Ocean City this Friday, March 7, 3-4:45 pm, at Ashore, 10100 Coastal Highway. It is about 30 minutes long and will be screened with 2 other short films as part of the Ocean City Film Festival. Information and tickets at:
It will be shown again on Maryland Public Television on April 24 @ 7:30 and 10:30 pm; and April 25 @ 2:30.
Phase 3 of 2021 Tidal Flood Recovery
Home elevation project #3 construction progress update:
MDS volunteers started the necessary repairs from water damage to the underneath and interior (floors) of the home. As weather permits this group will finalize constructing the rear entry steps and rear porch, extending the rain gutter downspouts as well as the necessary roofs repairs needed that resulted from removing the old attached carport.
Home elevation projects #4, #5 and #6 were recently approved by the Eastern Shore Long Term Recovery Committee. The permit process has begun for two of the projects. When permits are complete, construction will begin weather permitting.
The Eastern Shore Long Term Recovery Committee, and its partners are seeking to elevate and repair 100 homes to eliminate the flood hazards for vulnerable families in low-lying areas on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Review the Project Status.
Consider making a DONATION!
Representatives from the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference and the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church partnered in January to lead guests from the Northeast Jurisdiction College of Bishops and Committee on Episcopacy in a service project to support hurricane survivors during their Annual Meeting.
(pictured R:Thea Becton, BWC & L:Ray Yarnall, Pen-Del)
These Maryland VOAD members continue to increase awareness of on-going relief efforts for hurricane, tornado, and flooding survivors while news of efforts to support survivors of the California wildfires ramps up.
The group was surprised to learn that 20% of Conferences in their Jurisdiction were actively engaged in some phase of disaster management.
Those outside of impacted areas were encouraged to pray, provide resources, and MAKE A PLAN.
Maryland VOAD welcomes new members–spread the word. 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.
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.