Thanksgiving Dinner Continuing To Grow
Editor:
Thirty-six years ago, my father, Pastor Terry Davis, had an idea to prepare a meal on Thanksgiving for the entire community. He believed Thanksgiving was a holiday where no one should be alone or be hungry. So he submitted the idea to the Ocean City Baptist Church. In 1979, OCBC opened its doors and hearts to the community to what has now become an annual event.
Each year this free meal continues to grow. This year the Ocean City community served 752 meals to over 600 people. There were over 250 people who dined in, while over 300 meals were carried out. Chef Paul deHuarte from Antipasta Ristorante oversaw the cooking that served turkey and gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, sweet potatoes, rolls and, of course sauerkraut. For dessert, there was pumpkin and apple pie with whip cream.
Volunteers delivered over 100 meals to the police, fireman, transportation department, local businesses that were open, and several shut-ins.
What amazed me most was the overwhelming amount of volunteers that come to help serve this meal. There were at least 150 volunteers from every church in OC. Many of these volunteers helped serve the meal, prepare the meal and clean up afterwards. These volunteers are from every race, every economic background, and every age group.
Over 30 of these volunteers were students from Stephen Decatur High School’s Connections club. They each came for one reason – because they wanted to help and serve people. They made each person who came feel welcomed and loved. There are still good people in this world and I am thankful that I got to see that first hand at the Ocean City Baptist Church on Thanksgiving Day.
I would also like to thank the following businesses for their generous donations that made this meal possible. The OC Elks Lodge #2645, Taylor Bank, the Bank of Ocean City, the Church of the Holy Spirit ECW group, Center Plate Catering, BJ’s on the Water, The Dunes Manor, Women of the Bay Vista Estates, the Wednesday night Ladies Bowling League at Ocean Lanes, Layton’s Restaurant, Micky Fins Restaurant and the members of Ocean City Baptist Church.
It was an amazing day that I was privileged to be a part of. All the glory goes to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Sean Davis
Ocean City
(The writer is the pastor of Ocean City Baptist Church.)
The Giving Season
Editor:
Life presents us with many unexpected journeys, some sweet and heartwarming, some that we would prefer to forget. Regardless of our age, or the age we live in, one of those unexpected journeys is when we discover the absolute joy that comes from giving.
There are all kinds of giving and certainly among the most gratifying are the gifts we give to those we love and care about during the holiday season. In your nonprofit community this time of year has become known as “The Giving Season.”
The motivation for giving to those in need in our community shares a common thread with gifts we share with family and friends, the human instinct to help others in a meaningful way. And among the many reasons that makes the giving season so special is that it is not so much about the amount of a gift of charity, but the meaning behind it.
Money, in of itself, has little value. It is what you do with it that gives it value. Depending on how you spend and share your money, the same amount can do a little good, or a lot of good.
Don’t ever feel that you can’t make a difference. With so many needs in our community, how do you go about deciding where your charitable gift should go? May I suggest you start by thinking about the causes that matter to you?
Think about your life and those around you. What impact has been made by a charitable organization. Do you have an aging family member who needed some assistance getting through the day, or know a family that was in distress and in need of food? Have you met a child so full of promise, but with real limitations in meeting their educational potential? Do you know a forgotten veteran seeking someone to talk to or who urgently requires emergency assistance? Have you provided a home to a rescued animal and want to help others have the same opportunity? Nonprofit organizations throughout the region meet these needs and more, each and every day.
The potential needs that you care about are both incredibly diverse and timeless.
And while it may seem overwhelming to meet them all, we can all gain some perspective through the words of world renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall, who said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Each year the Giving Season gives each and every one of us a wonderful opportunity and responsibility. Don’t let this time pass without experiencing the special joy we can all share –through charitable giving.
Erica Joseph
Salisbury
(The writer is the president of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.)
Parade Support Appreciated
Editor:
Berlin Main Street wishes to thank the following businesses for their donations towards the 45th Annual Berlin Christmas Parade. Many thanks and wishing you a Happy Holiday season.
ABBA Bail Bonds, Marc Anthony Service Experts, Poole Contracting and Consulting, Healing Hands Chiropractic, Cards Technology, Walt Dennison Train Shop, Worcester Preparatory School, Adkins Company, Berlin Optical, Flag Publications/Bayside Gazette, Shirley Grace Pregnancy Center, William E. Esham/Admiral Hotel, Esham Family Limited Partnership/Comfort Inn, Decatur Investments Inc., Esham Family Limited Partnership/Admiral Hotel, Taylor Bank, St. Paul’s Church Mouse, JJ Fish, Diversified Maintenance, S&G Smith Associates, Action Island, Atlantic Orthopaedics, Baypointe, Bleached Butterfly, Hunan Chinese Restaurant, Worcester County Developmental Center, Bank of Ocean City, Days Aluminum, Gary’s Shore Service, Doodle Design, Berlin Shoe Box, Claudia Nichols State Farm Insurance and First Shore Federal.
Berlin Main Street
Pines Needs Cable Change
Editor:
Goodbye Mediacom. I had my house built in 1994 in which time I signed up for Mediacom’s basic cable television package.
My bill was $63 every two months. On Nov. 5, 2015, I cancelled my Mediacom cable and my one-month bill was $93. This was a 200-percent increase over the years. The last four years, my monthly bill has not been the same amount for six months straight.
I hope Ocean Pines does not renew Mediacom’s contract when it expires. I think they have taken advantage of the situation with Ocean Pines customers.
Today I got a bill from Mediacom for December’s basic cable. This was a monthly bill even though I paid and cancelled Mediacom on Nov. 5, 2015. I feel as though I have gotten the monkey off my back. No more aggravations and lies.
I believe the Ocean Pines contract is still for another five years. I hope not.
Michael Graves
Berlin