Appreciation Expressed
Editor:
It is with great gratitude that I write this letter in appreciation of so many people and businesses in the community of Ocean City. Camp Possibilities, a camp for children with diabetes has been the beneficiary of Spaghetti for Possibilities, a spaghetti dinner held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church for the past five years (and of the Caine Woods Community Association Crab Feast in 2015). Camp Possibilities has received a staggering $41,000 through these efforts.
Spaghetti for Possibilities is the creation of Ocean City residents Katie and Corey Rimel who started the event to both pay for their son’s fee to attend Camp Possibilities and to provide additional funds to the camp to allow other children in financial need to attend. It has since grown into an annual event.
To try to express in words the level of care, effort and dedication put forth annually for this event would be impossible – it goes beyond words. The Rimel’s son, Eric, takes upon himself to solicit donations from local businesses. On countless weekends and for countless hours during the winter months Eric’s parents drive him up and down Route 1, and into neighboring towns, where Eric frequently has an agenda of businesses to approach.
A couple of years ago, he began asking his parents to stay in the car so he could approach the business managers and owners himself. He has a script, he is thorough and he gets an amazing response. This is a testament not only to Eric, who shows incredible perseverance, creativity and a level of skill and maturity beyond his age but also to the willingness of the Ocean City community (and beyond) to support those in its community. The response from the community has been significant and heartwarming.
It is a failing of mine that I have not kept track of every business that has given and volunteer who has helped over the years. I can only say they have been numerous – every year it seems there are 40-plus volunteers who show up at the dinner itself, the list of businesses in the program is enormous and the stories from the Rimels about who and how much each person has contributed are never-ending, and touching.
For sure this event would not be possible without the tremendous generosity from the congregation of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and for the use of their facilities both during the event and for planning and event storage both before and after. I would be remiss if I did not mention one ‘MVP’ from 2016 — Phillip Cropper, who came to the rescue as the event chef at the last minute when our cook became unavailable. Finally, Katie’s parents (Eric’s grandparents), Roy and Laurie Frick, also of Ocean City and owners of Frick Accountants Limited, have been involved from the outset both behind the scenes and “out front” to make Spaghetti for Possibilities such a success.
It is inspiring to know of the Rimel’s efforts and the generosity from the entire community of Ocean City. On behalf of every one at Camp Possibilities I extend my sincere appreciation.
Jeff Dietz
(The writer is the director of Camp Possibilities.)
Time Is Now To Ensure Affairs Are In Order
Editor:
What would happen if you were in a serious automobile accident or suffered a stroke or other sudden health emergency and could not speak for yourself? Would your family and doctors know what kind of medical treatment you’d want to receive? Would they be making the difficult decisions for you? If it is up to your family, would everyone agree on what’s best?
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day. As the hospice provider for the four Lower Shore counties, we are intimately aware of how important it is for everyone to express their healthcare wishes before a crisis occurs.
Everyone has a different idea about how they want to be treated during a medical emergency. Advance directives document your individual wishes and values and are the key to supporting you and your family in receiving humane, personalized healthcare.
It isn’t an easy conversation to have, and too many of us think we don’t need to talk about these questions yet. But advance directives are not just for the elderly. They are important for people of all ages, because a healthcare crisis can occur at any time. At the same moment when critical decisions must be made, you may be unable to communicate just how far you want the medical care to go. These decisions determine your quality of life. Without an advance directive, that pressure falls on your family to agree on what course of action to take.
By completing an advance directive, you can prevent a stressful and often painful situation for your family. You are giving them a gift by removing that burden. An advance directive is a simple way to let everyone — family, doctors, hospitals, emergency responders — know how you want to be treated when you are ill or injured.
The forms are free, legal and straightforward. You can download one from the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland (www.oag.state.md.us). You’ll need someone to witness your signature, so we recommend taking that opportunity to review the form closely with that person. Take a minute to talk over the choices you’re making. Then let your family know how to find your advance directive, give a copy to your doctor and take one with you if you go to the hospital.
Coastal Hospice is also offering free seminars on advance care planning in April through Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks. The seminars will take place on Tuesday, April 12 from 7-8 p.m. and on Thursday, April 21 from 10-11 a.m. in the Ocean Pines Community Center. Reservations are suggested by calling Ocean Pines at 410-641-7052. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Alane Capen
(The writer is the president of Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care.)
Benefit Support Recognized
Editor:
The Ocean City Downtown Association would like to thank all those who made our annual James Sapia Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, April 3 such a success.
We must first thank all those who joined us and Shenanigan’s Irish Pub for providing the perfect setting.
Adding to the success were the many items offered by local merchants for our Chinese auction: Greene Turtle, Robin Walters Salon, Plak That, Berlin Coffee House, Una Bella Salute, Kite Loft, Park Place Jewelers, World of Toys, Eagles Landing, Fager’s Island, Phillips Seafood, Cutting Crew, Ruark Golf, Captain’s Table, Frontier Town, Wockenfuss, Thirty-One, Boardwalked, Paws & Claws, Victorian Charms, Bruder Hill, Casino at Ocean Downs, Treasure Chest, Sea Quest, Edible Arrangements, K-coast, Sea Trader, Cupcakes in Bloom, Shorebirds, Pittsburg Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and the National Aquarium. Ocean City is the town that keeps on giving.
Of course, we could not have put on the event without the support of our many volunteers: George Phillips, Beryl Wheeler, Joe Aydolette, Noah Lowry, Dave Wheeler, Ray Bradford, Nancy Howard, Tiffany Phillips, Nick Ruggieri, Bob Banach, Glenn Phillips, Brooks Trimper, Vi Candeloro, Lauren Taylor, Vicki Barrett, Steve Taylor, Brian McCarthy, Joe Manganello, Lisa Aydolette and our students from Stephen Decatur. They made a great team.
Our mission, as a community-based organization, is to serve the businesses, resident and visitors to the downtown area. We promote programs that enhance and improve the quality of life for both citizens and vacationers. The Spaghetti Dinner, our Information Cottage on the Boardwalk and our other events help us fulfill this mission.
We look forward to seeing you at our 12th Annual Crab Soup Cook Off, Saturday, May 14 at Somerset Plaza.
Mary Ann Manganello
(The writer is the administrator for the Ocean City Downtown Association.)
Saluting All Volunteers
Editor:
Volunteer Week is celebrated nationally from April 10-16. This is the ideal time for us to thank the 280 Coastal Hospice volunteers who open their hearts everyday to the patients and families we serve in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.
Our volunteers perform a myriad of indispensable tasks, whether they are visiting patients in their homes or helping out in countless other ways.
Coastal Hospice’s patient care volunteers are generously welcomed into patients’ homes and always strive to fulfill whatever request they receive from a patient or family member, no matter how big or small. They take patients shopping, to the hairdresser, to the bank or to go pet a horse. They walk dogs, read stories, make a cup of tea, look at family picture albums, reminisce, give caregivers a break or simply hold a hand.
Other volunteers stuff envelopes, water plants, put equipment together, attend health fairs or work in the Coastal Hospice Thrift Shop in Berlin.
One dedicated volunteer gave us 635 hours of time in the last 12 months, a heroic accomplishment.
Our volunteers are a diverse group — young and in their 90s, professionals and retirees, lifelong Shore residents and snowbirds. But they all have one goal in common: to help those who are going through a very special time of life.
We thank them for their dedication and service.
Judy Hunt-Harris
(The writer is the manager of Volunteer Services at Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care.)