For the second consecutive year, the Patuxent River (MD) Chapter collected donations for the Montgomery Avenue Women’s Center (MAWC) in Rockville, MD in conjunction with the Chapter’s annual Holiday Party held on December 13, 2015.  MAWC is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that provides supportive services to more than 250 homeless women each year.  It is the only daytime center that provides services exclusively for homeless women in Montgomery County, Maryland. Their daily programs of group sessions, counseling and life skill courses are designed to help women become self-sufficient. By helping the women with job readiness skills, work ethics, and resume building they encourage them to become independent and ready for the workforce.  While at the shelter, the women develop strong friendships and genuinely care for each other, as they give each other goals and motivation to building a solid future.

This year the Patuxent River Chapter donated over $900 in gift cards from local retailers including Target, TJ Maxx, Starbucks, and Giant to be provided to the women at the center.  The gift cards were festively attached to two Christmas wreaths and presented to MAWC the following week by Stephanie Jameison and Cynthia Anderson, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Social Committee, respectively.  Audra Cannon,  Director of Operations at MAWC, expressed that she was ‟wonderfully surprised at the generosity.”