Give A Little Back This Thanksgiving To Those Who Give So Much To Us

If you missed the Second Annual Bulle Rock Turkey Trot this Thanksgiving morning, there are still ways to give something back to the Susquehanna Hose Company and all the other local fire, rescue, police and military agencies and personnel who give so much to us 365 days a year.

The Turkey Trot is a 5K route through Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace organized by HeartSmart with all funds going toward the purchase of new fire and rescue equipment for the Susquehanna Hose Company.

But you can make donations year round by visiting the Hose Company’s web site or the site’s for Harford County’s other fire and rescue companies:

– Level VFC
– Aberdeen FD
– Bel Air VFC
– Abindgon FD
– Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps
– Whiteford VFC
– Jarrettsville VFC
– Joppa-Magnolis VFC
– Darlington VFC
– Norrisville VFC
– Fallston VFAC
– Harford County Fire & EMS

And don’t forget the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, which is just kicking off its own 26th year of holiday giving:

TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF CHRISTMAS GIVING

(Harford County, MD – November 25, 2008) – The Harford County Sheriff’s Office Annual Christmas Drive is underway. Chaired for the third year by Captain Steve Thomas and Lauren Brooks, the agency has been committed to helping families during the holiday season for over a quarter of a century. The program has grown significantly in the last 26 years with the help of dozens of volunteers from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. With all the help from the community, 2007 was a record year, helping 148 families which included 190 adults and 226 children. Christmas gifts and food were delivered to various communities throughout the county.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office is accepting donations of toys, non-perishable foods; holiday candy; personal hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant; first aid supplies such as band aids and bandages. Toys specifically sought out this year are dolls, crayons, actions figures, and games. Items for teens, ages 12-15 are also in high demand. Specifically requested for girls are purses, make-up and lotions and for boys, sports equipment and games. Cash is accepted and checks should be made payable to the “Harford County Sheriff’s Office Employee Fund.” Collection drop boxes can be found atthe following locations: Harford County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters located at 45 S. Main Street in Bel Air; Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Southern Precinct located at 1717 Gateway Drive in Edgewood MD; Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Northern Precinct located at 3726 Norrisville Road in Jarrettsville; and the Harford County Detention Center located at 1030 Rock Spring Avenue in Bel Air near Forest Hill. Prearranged drop off’s may also be made at the “Christmas Shop,” located in the Festival at Bel Air.

“It is in the true Christmas spirit to give where it is needed. We can only do this through the generosity of all of our volunteers and the donations from the community” stated Captain Thomas, co-chair of the Annual Christmas Drive. “As a member of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, it is my privilege to partner with our community on behalf of such a worthwhile endeavor.”

For more information, volunteer or request assistance, feel free to contact Lauren Brooks at 410-836-5452 or Captain Thomas at 410-638-4439.

And, of course, give thanks to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Which tragically and occassionally hits close to home.