Members of the Crofton Kiwanis Club (www.crofton-kiwanis.org) gathered at Ledo Pizza on July 15 to disburse proceeds from several fundraisers to two local charities.

A check for $6,000, representing proceeds from the annual Kiwanis Auction and 10K race events, was presented to Kathryn Philliben, director of Sarah's House (www.cc-md.org/sarahs-house), a homeless shelter at Fort George G. Meade that provides food and shelter for area families. "Crofton Kiwanis has been incredibly supportive of Sarah's House," said Kathryn. "In the last three years, we're received $26,000 to support our children during the summer. We use the money to offer fun, educational programs and activities that help give our children a 'normal' summer."

Sarah's House has used past Kiwanis donations to fund field trips to Sesame Place in Pennsylvania and Greenbrier State Park, as well as to local zoos and swimming pools. This most recent donation will support programs and field trips for the approximately 45 children served so far this summer by Sarah's House. "It's hard for the children to be isolat-ed on our property," said Kathryn. "It's exciting for them to get on a bus, have a boxed lunch, and have somewhere to go. Little things that we take for granted, to them mean a great deal."

Representatives of the Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce (www.croftonchamber.com) joined with Kiwanis members in presenting a check for $15,560 to Dixie Jones, president of the Crofton Christian Caring Council. The Caring Council, an ecumenical cooperative ministry comprised of seven participating Crofton churches, provides emergency food and clothing and funding for housing, utilities, and medications to local families in need. The donation represented proceeds of a joint Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce annual charity golf tournament held in May of this year.

"Kiwanis has been our biggest fundraiser," said Dixie. "They have made it possible for us to do the work that we do. Although many people think of Crofton as a fairly affluent community, right now we're helping around 300 people per month, right here in our area. Without Kiwanis, we wouldn't be able to provide nearly as much help as we are."

Cheryl Malone, president of Crofton Kiwanis Club, thanked the Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce for its collaboration and support, and remarked on the generosity of participants in the recent golf tournament. "We had the opportunity to honor two area servicemen who had lost limbs in Middle East combat zones. They both participated in the golf tournament this year, and I think that was a factor in people's generosity this year," Cheryl said. "Most of the individuals who won cash prizes at the tournament turned around and donated the prize money right back to the Caring Council. That's what helped us raise such a large figure."

Reflecting on recent Kiwanis fundraising efforts, Cheryl said, "We have the community to thank, and the 61 members of the club."

" We're always saying: 'Times are tough; we're not going to be able to raise much money,' but this year was just beautiful."