Congratulations to our photo contest winner,

Horizon Goodwill Industries, for this amazing shot!

And the process begins...

A HUGE thank you to Sheehy Subaru of Hagerstown for their incredible generosity during our Day of Caring! Their donation fuels our mission and shows the true power of community coming together to make a local impact.

Thank you to the team at Sheehy Subaru of Hagerstown for driving real change!

We are

truly grateful to our loyal sponsors that

step up year after year.

Your support is is vital to our organization.

ALICE Urgent Needs Grant

(Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)

Helping Working Families Weather Unexpected Crisis

The ALICE® Urgent Needs Grant Program was established by United Way of Washington County to help working households facing unexpected financial emergencies that threaten their stability. Through a partnership with Reach of Washington County, families experiencing short-term crises are identified, screened, and connected to assistance before a temporary setback becomes a long-term hardship. Funding for this program is made possible through the generosity of the Ricker Urgent Needs for Families Fund, which was created to provide timely support to local families during times of urgent need.

For households living paycheck to paycheck, a single unexpected expense can set off a chain reaction of financial hardship. A reduction in work hours, an unforeseen household expense, or the loss of shared income can quickly lead to missed payments, mounting debt, and the risk of losing essential services or housing. The ALICE® Urgent Needs Grant helps working families overcome these temporary setbacks before they become long-term emergencies.

A Helping Hand When It Matters Most

ALICE® Urgent Needs Fund | A Story of Stability, Determination, and Hope

For many hardworking families in Washington County, financial stability can be fragile. Even when individuals are doing everything they can to provide for their households, an unexpected setback can quickly create a crisis.

Recently, a local ALICE household experienced a temporary loss of income that set off a chain reaction of financial challenges. As everyday expenses continued to accumulate, the family fell behind on essential bills, including rent. Despite their best efforts to regain financial stability, the mounting past-due balance placed them at risk of losing their home.

But this family wasn't standing still. Employment had been secured, and steps were already underway to strengthen long-term earning potential through continued education and career development. The family was working toward a more secure future but needed help overcoming the financial burden left behind by months of reduced income.

Recognizing both the urgency of the situation and the family's commitment to moving forward, United Way of Washington County partnered with REACH of Washington County and other community resources to help address the outstanding rental balance and prevent eviction.

Through the ALICE® Urgent Needs Fund, $1,000 in assistance helped bridge the financial gap, supporting the family's ability to remain housed while continuing to work toward financial independence.

This is what the ALICE Urgent Needs Fund is all about.

It's not simply about paying an overdue bill. It's about preventing a temporary setback from becoming a life-altering crisis. It's about protecting housing stability, preserving employment, and giving hardworking families the opportunity to move forward rather than fall further behind.

Sometimes, a little assistance at the right moment makes all the difference.

Because when families remain stable, our entire community grows stronger.

With your support, we can continue responding when those moments arise. Consider making a gift to United Way of Washington County and help ensure that working families have access to the resources they need to weather life's unexpected challenges.

The United Way of Washington County, MD

We Are Champions For ALICE

Essential, Working, Struggling.

ALICE earns just above the Federal poverty level, lives on a modest household survival budget, yet struggles to afford basic essentials. We all know ALICE. 

ALICE ECONOMIC VIABILITY DASHBOARD

Measuring Economic Well-Being for ALICE

The ALICE Economic Viability Dashboard reveals the economic and community conditions of people who are struggling financially - those below the ALICE Threshold. This includes people in households with income below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and those who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), with income above the FPL but below the cost of the basics.

By studying ALICE households as well as those in poverty, United For ALICE research shows the true extent of financial hardship across the country. The ALICE Economic Viability Dashboard builds on this research, exploring why so many households are struggling, with new data on ALICE work, housing, and community resources.

Live United

Urgent Needs Grant Awards

Each month, the United Way of Washington County

is pleased to partner with various organizations that provide critical services to our community.

Our Urgent Needs Grant is a low-barrier grant designed to assist nonprofits facing unexpected costs due to unforeseen program needs, emergencies, or underlying situations.

For additional information, contact Kelli Tencer at 301-739-8200 ext.104

Applications are due on the 27th of the month.

Live United Urgent Needs Grant Supports

USMH Student Food Pantry

United Way of Washington County recently awarded a $500 Live United Urgent Needs Grant to the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (USMH) to help stock its Student Food Pantry.

As demand for the pantry has increased, available resources have struggled to keep pace. The grant will help USMH maintain a consistent supply of food and expand the variety of nutritious, convenient options available to students experiencing food insecurity or temporary financial hardship. 

Serving approximately 187 students, the pantry provides more than food—it offers immediate, confidential support that helps students meet basic needs while remaining focused on their education. By reducing the pressure of choosing between food and necessities such as housing, transportation, textbooks, and utilities, the pantry helps students remain engaged in their coursework and campus life. 

Sometimes a small investment can make a meaningful difference—helping ensure that hunger doesn't become a barrier to a student's success.

Live United Urgent Needs Grant

Helps Local Veterans Stay Housed

United Way of Washington County recently awarded $2,801 in Live United Urgent Needs funding to Platoon 22 to provide emergency rental assistance for two local veterans facing housing instability.

For one veteran and his young son, a temporary financial hardship had placed the family at imminent risk of eviction. The veteran had recently secured employment and was working with Platoon 22 toward long-term stability but needed immediate assistance to bridge the gap and keep his family safely housed. Platoon 22 also committed additional organizational funds toward the family's remaining past-due rent and utility expenses. 

A second veteran, living on a fixed income, had fallen behind on rent after increased utility costs and transportation expenses associated with necessary medical appointments strained his limited budget. The grant provided assistance toward his past-due rent, helping him maintain safe, stable housing while managing his ongoing expenses.

Together, these grants demonstrate the purpose of the Live United Urgent Needs Fund: responding when an unexpected financial crisis threatens an individual's or family's stability and timely assistance can prevent that crisis from becoming something much larger.

So...Why Donate to United Way?

Did you know that your United Way actively supports or partners with over 90 organizations and many individual Washington County residents annually?

Community Impact: United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. We help neighbors strengthen their resilience by advancing health, youth opportunities, and financial security.

Creating a Thriving Community: United Way seeks to improve lives in Washington County by advancing the common good. True to our founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our community, United Way is there. We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs.

Local Focus: Donations are invested in local community-impact programs and nonprofits that directly benefit residents of Washington County, MD.

Broader Reach: United Way's approach is broader than that of individual specialized nonprofits, addressing a wider range of community needs. 

Partnering with Agencies: United Way strategically partners with local health and human service agencies to deliver critical, coordinated support that empowers individuals and strengthens our community.

Financial Security: We connect people with education, tools, and job training so they have financial freedom and peace of mind. Together, we can create a stronger financial future for every generation.

Healthy Community: We improve access to nutritious food and quality health education and services, so that people have the resources they need to lead healthy lives. Together, we can improve health and well-being for all.

Youth Opportunity: By creating pathways for young people to reach their goals, from early childhood education to college and career success, we are helping young people realize their full potential.

Community Resiliency: We help the residents of Washington County prepare for, prevent, and respond to challenges, from crisis support and disaster relief to environmental protection. Together, we can address urgent needs today for a better tomorrow.



Your Investment: When you give to the United Way, you’re investing in the strength and stability of your own community. Your support helps local families meet basic needs, access education, and stay on the path to financial stability—especially those who are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet. Every gift, no matter the size, creates real, lasting impact right here at home.

Our donors, partners, and volunteers

make it possible for us to have a

major impact on our community!

If you would like to help the United Way

make a difference in Washington County, please click the DONATE button today!

Thank you so very much for your continued support!

Planned Gift

What will your legacy be? By remembering United Way of Washington County, MD, in your will and estate, you will leave a lasting legacy. Contact United Way of Washington County today at 301.739.8200 for more information on how you can continue to help the community you love.

Securities

Giving long-term (owned more than a year) appreciated securities may provide greater benefits to you.

• You may save current income for day-to-day needs because a gift of securities does NOT come out of your cash flow.
• You may save taxes in two ways: Income tax and Capital Gains tax.
• You may lower the "cost" of your gift.



In-Kind

United Way of Washington County gladly accepts in-kind gifts for our hygiene closets, literacy programs, office supplies, and special events. Donating products and services enables us to reduce expenses and dedicate more funding to direct programming. For more information, please contact us at 301.739.8200.

Purchase Items for Our Hygiene Closets

If you prefer to purchase items for our Hygiene Closets, please use this link to our 

Amazon wish list.

Donate Items

Agencies are always looking for office/ computer equipment, furniture, and household items.

Businesses and individuals are encouraged to give in-kind donations and can be assured that United Way of Washington County will connect you to local agencies that are:

• Tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations by the Internal Revenue Service
• Serve Washington County
• Have a health and human resources focus

United Way of Washington County, Maryland, Inc. has been evaluated by Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator, and earned a 100% Four-Star Rating! This is the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator. 

Charity Navigator’s third-party accreditation validates our organization’s operational excellence.

You can learn more about Charity Navigator and our rating here:

https://charitynavigator.org/ein/520691704. 

The United Way of Washington County earned a 2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency!

Check out our nonprofit profile to keep up to date with our impact. 

https://

www.guidestar.org/profile/52-0691704

Keep this link handy; we want to ensure you always have the information you need to support our work with trust and confidence.

Check out these links for information on non-profits in Washington County.

Please share this with all your friends.

2-1-1 Maryland - Supported by our local United Way, this is the state's most comprehensive health and human services resource database. With approximately 7,500 resources, individuals with essential needs can connect to local help 24/7/365.

You can dial 2-1-1 on your phone to speak with someone, or visit https://211md.org/.

Hagerstown Area Religious Council has also compiled the following resources:

Food & Clothing Resources - https://harccoalition.org/resources/food-and-clothing/

Housing/Shelter - https://harccoalition.org/resources/housing-shelter/

Washington County Mental Health Authority has a listing of mental health providers at https://wcmha.org/provider-directory/.

United Way of Washington County, Maryland

Many of us take the ability to get from Point A to Point B for granted. For many Washington County residents, transportation is a significant challenge. If you cannot drive yourself and are unable to secure a ride, transportation can be an overwhelming barrier to your job, your doctor, your school, and more. The Ride United Network (RUN) program provides a temporary solution to transportation barriers that prevent residents of Washington County, MD, from accessing basic needs. Transportation has proven to be a key issue for many individuals seeking services to gain financial stability and independence.

What is Ride United?

Ride United is a program with a clear mission: to fill the gap in transportation assistance. United Way of Washington County now offers this option when no other transportation options are available, ensuring that all community members have access to the critical services they need. 

In collaboration with Lyft and Community Partners, Ride United provides convenient round-trip, on-demand Lyft rides. These rides connect community members to essential services such as education, employment, healthcare, and legal assistance, providing a reliable, stress-free transportation solution.

The program is open only to Washington County residents. It covers up to $54 round-trip; the individual is responsible for expenses beyond $54 ($27 each way). There are different provisions for each ride. All rides must originate in Washington County, MD. Requests for trips taken to other states or counties will be denied. 

Ride United is supported by the generous contributions of the City of Hagerstown through the Community Development Block Grant, the Community Foundation of Washington County, the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation, and the Local Management Board.

RIDE UNITED MAY BE UTILIZED FOR: 

Our Books United program, launched in May 2022,

currently has 41 active partners. Since its inception,

we have collected and redistributed over 95,000 books!

We also host multiple reading clubs,

including one at Coffman Nursing Home and

Lasting Change Recovery Solutions for Women.

As always, a special thanks to our wonderful volunteers,

John and Tara (Book Nook), Sharon Giles,

Beth Johnston, Jo Ellen Allenberg, Kyle Hayes, George Freeman, Leah Freeman and Vicki Willey!

Our list of volunteers keeps growing. We would love to add your name to that list! Contact Stacey Abeles at stacey@uwwcmd.org.

United Way of Washington County's

Books United Program

Invites You to Visit the BOOK NOOK!

We invite all community members to visit the Book Nook, ensuring that every child has access to the reading materials they deserve. Your engagement and support are vital in fostering a brighter future for our children through literacy!

You can find the Book Nook at the Valley Mall, just outside JCPenney. It serves as an essential resource for families looking to inspire a love of reading in their children.

The Valley Mall has been part of our community for over 50 years!

Parkside's "Day of Caring" Project

For this year's Day of Caring, our Books United Parkside Library Project took on the challenge of building an accessible children’s library from the ground up.

Our volunteers rolled up their sleeves to clean and stock the shelves with donated books and fun incentives designed to make reading an adventure.

By the end of the day, they turned an empty space into a vibrant, cozy reading oasis.

We can’t wait to watch this space inspire the next generation of Parkside readers!

Building a Love for Reading, One Story at a Time!

Our ladies had the absolute joy of spending the morning with the bright, smiling faces at the historic Hagerstown Day Nursery!

As part of the ongoing mission with United Way of Washington County's Books United program, the Ladies for Lasting Literacy Book Club stepped out of their usual reading circles to share some of our favorite children's stories.

Since July 2024, we have impacted over 10,000 people, and our numbers are GROWING by the day.

Our on-campus closets discreetly benefit low-income students and their families who lack transportation and/or those wishing to keep their demonstrated needs private. Our most requested hygiene items include shampoo, deodorant, and body wash. We have experienced growing requests for laundry pods, feminine pads, and liners.

Requests for specialty items include lice kits and body wipes for those living in our rural communities who lack sufficient running water...yes, there are many!

If you wish to learn more about either program or become a partner location, please contact Stacey Abeles - stacey@uwwcmd.org or Kathy Harple - kathy@uwwcmd.org.

United Way has 24 active hygiene closets, 12 located within schools; and currently collaborates with 12 organizations throughout Washington County:

Our 25th location is situated at the drive-thru/walk-up area

on Court Place at the rear of our offices at 83 W. Washington Street.

The United Way of Washington County hygiene closet/warehouse is open every

Thursday from 9am to 12pm. Individuals must present a voucher issued by one of our local partner organizations in order to be eligible for access to the closet.

Working with several community organizations through our voucher-based hygiene closet, we have served over 1,500 people at this location since its inception in 2024.

Our "closet bags" contain essential hygiene supplies to support the needs of those who visit the walk-up window and our partners located throughout the County.

Occasionally, the United Way receives miscellaneous items from our partners that might not fit into our standard Hygiene Closet offerings. When these items are available, we feature them in our Kindness Korner.

Visitors to the Hygiene Closet window on Thursday mornings can select two items from our bin, which might include snacks, light food items, or even pet food. Please be aware that the Kindness Korner isn't always available, it's a special way for us to share a little extra kindness when possible.

These two cuties were lucky enough to be able to pick up a new friend!

We Love Our Partners!

A special shout-out to

Eva Kelley, Executive DIrector of Ladders to Leaders for the continued support of our Hygiene Program. The items donated help maintain our hygiene closet and community outreach.

Bottled water is something always in demand for our events and programs.

Many thanks to Jesse from Reach for dropping off this much needed item.

We depend heavily on volunteers at the United Way of Washington County.

We could not do what we do without the dedication of individuals who offer their time to help with the day-to-day responsibilities of maintaining our programs. We are so grateful for the continued support from Lasting Change Recovery Solutions for Women.

Our Books United and Hygiene Closet programs require significant volunteer support, and we are always in search of more volunteers. If you have some free time and would like to give back to your community, please send us an email. We’ll be happy to accommodate your schedule.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Stacey Abeles at stacey@uwwcmd.org or

Kathy Harple at kathy@uwwcmd.org

The United Way is proud to collaborate

with the ENOUGH Initiative Network, uniting our efforts

to uplift and empower families in the

Bester Community of Hope area. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in their lives.

If you have events, volunteer opportunities, or other information

you would like to include in our monthly newsletter please contact

Kathy Harple at kathy@uwwc.md.org

From Our Partners...

Mentoring Closes the Opportunity Gap

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America recently shared the findings of a study that proves that mentored youth have greater enrollment in higher education, increased salaries, reduced dependency on social services, and improved behavioral outcomes over time. This groundbreaking study demonstrates the transformative power of mentoring in shaping young people’s educational, economic, and social trajectories, and explains how mentoring programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters can serve as scalable solutions to reduce socioeconomic disparities. To learn more, find the summary HERE. To learn more about mentoring with BBBS of Washington County, visit bbbswcmd.org

Hagerstown Area Religious Council is a HUGE hub for resources in Washington County

Homeless Street Guide

The Homeless Street Guide (January 2026) is a quick reference to give out to homeless individuals and families in Washington County. 3-per-page for a small helpful resource.

Shelters in Washington County

See list of Shelters in Washington County for a more detailed list of shelters, their requirements, and what they offer.

Rapid Rehousing & Homeless Outreach

The Homeless Coalition is providing a new and dynamic service in the community. If you are homeless and are interested in housing, please contact one of these providers for additional information:

Community Action Council: 301-797-4161 x131 (serves homeless families)

REACH: 301-733-2371 x103 or x106 (serves homeless individuals)

Horizon Goodwill: 301-733-7330 (serves homeless individuals, unaccompanied youths)

Washington County Housing Case Management

Useful links and guides from Community Action Council. Contain information on emergency shelter/housing, public housing, low-cost rental housing, senior housing, and various housing programs. Great to use as reference. See Community Action Council’s Housing Case Management web page for updated versions of these guides

Hagerstown Home Store

Hagerstown Home Store offers a wide range of housing counseling and resources, including down-payment assistance.  Brochure   Visit website.

The Women’s Club

The Women’s Club at 31 South Prospect St., offers housing for ladies of low income that is not time-limited. They have single bedroom rooms with beds and dressers. The ladies share a common kitchen and bathrooms. It is a safe, secure building. The rents vary from $230/mo to $295/mo, depending on whether the room has a bathroom attached. If interested, please contact Linda at 301-739-0870, Monday through Friday 9 am to 1 pm.

Habitat for Humanity of Washington County

Habitat for Humanity offers a variety of programs to support the various needs of current and future Washington County homeowners.

• New Home Building
• Home Renovations
• Home Preservation Program
• A Brush with Kindness
• Weatherization
• Critical Repairs

For additional information about any of these programs, including how to apply, call (301) 791-9009.

Energy Assistance

Community Action Council manages local energy assistance programs. Past due bills up to $2,000 are covered once in 5 years for eligible households. Also, apply for a subsidy (discount) on your monthly energy bill to reduce the cost to an amount you can afford. Learn more on CAC’s website, call 301-797-4161, or apply in person at 117 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown (or one of CAC’s rural locations).

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Founded in Kimberly, Idaho, in 2012, Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing hand-made bunk beds to children who don’t have beds of their own. Not only do they deliver these beds to children in need, but they partner with organizations, churches, businesses, and individuals to build them at events called Build Days! Learn more and request a bed on their website.

Help with Diapers and Home Supplies

for Refugee Families

The Refugee Welcome Network is actively working with ten families and still offering some support for others struggling this month with reduced hours at Amazon and FedEx. Some families have babies and can't afford diapers, formula, and other supplies. We've connected them to all community resources available, but it's not quite enough. 

Donations of gift cards from Walmart, Target, or another source of baby supplies are wanted to help lighten the load of these new Americans as they work hard to build a life here. If you can give a gift card, please email Kathy@harccoalition.org. Monetary donations are also a blessing to help with various needs.

https://harccoalition.org/programs/refugee-welcome-network/

Walking 2 Wellness - Wednesdays

Every Wednesday | 12:00 pm

ARCC at Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown

Looking for a free cool place to walk in this heat? Join Primetime for Women for Walking to Wellness! More than just a walk, it's a chance to connect with an incredible group of people, build meaningful friendships, share encouragement, and take a step toward a healthier you—both physically and mentally. They celebrate over 4 years of walking every week as a group. Some start at 11:30 am and you can even get a $5 quarterly pass from the college to walk when the gym is open and free from scheduled activities. Each week they also have a community speaker to give a short motivational talk before they start walking.

FREE Community Resources

Here are Resources that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers, either online or in person. They have specialists over each category who are willing to individually help people that might be interested in these programs. Please share this with anyone you feel it could be valuable/useful for.

Service Year Positions 

Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation is partnering with Meritus Health to offer paid, full-time Service Year positions open for young adults ages 18–24 with a high school diploma or equivalent. They can gain a full-time job opportunity, professional coaching, consistent pay of at least $15 an hour, as well as a $6,000 completion grant award. These roles span both clinical and non-clinical positions. See flyer for more information and share with your networks. Website.

Make sure to keep up to date with everything going on in Hagerstown by following our announcements and staying connected with the pulse of the city. Whether it's festivals, concerts, or important announcements, we'll keep you in the loop. Don't miss out - stay connected and be part of the vibrant Hagerstown community!

Main Street Hagerstown

Main Street Hagerstown is a volunteer-driven, downtown revitalization program of the City of Hagerstown. We aim to protect our historic character, strengthen our business community, respect the environment, promote gathering spaces for friends and family, and hold outstanding events.

Toys for Tots Registration is NOW OPEN!

The online application will be open from October 1, 2026 through November 10, 2026. Head to hagerstown-md.toysfortots.org (or click the link below!) and select the “Request a Toy” option to complete the application. Don’t delay - submit your application early!

Board of Education Candidate Forum Recorded

Did you miss the candidate forum last week? If so, no worries! It was live streamed and recorded thanks to Antietam Broadband. Watch and be informed before you vote! And please share with others. What happens at the local level makes a difference in our every day lives and that of more than 20,000 children.

Candidate Forum – Washington County Board of County Commissioners – general election

October 15 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

HARC is offering Candidate Forums for the 2026 election in partnership with the League of Women Voters and the Washington County Library. Share with your congregation! Forums are free and open to the public with non-partisan moderation, and all candidates will be invited.

Use this form to submit any questions you would like to be asked.

Thursday, October 1, 6-8 pm – WC Board of Education, general election, Washington County Free Library, Rooms 308-309

Thursday, October 15, 6-8 pm – WC Board of County Commissioners, general election, Washington County Free Library, Rooms 308-309

Event coverage made possible by Antietam Broadband. Live stream and replays will be available on Antietam Broadband channels 6 and 806 until the day of the general election. Event will also be Live streamed on HARC’s YouTube channel and Facebook page with a recorded video available on HARC’s YouTube channel after the event.

Boxtoberfest, Saturday, October 17th

Presented by Antietam Broadband and Visit Hagerstown, Meritus Park’s Craft Beer Festival is back and serving up a day full of beer, live music, and a custom beer stein!

Featuring Guns N’ Roses cover band, Appetite for Destruction and Full Effect from 3pm – 6:30pm with popular AC/DC cover band, Back in Black, headliner performance beginning at 6:30pm.

Ticket includes limited beer sample tickets, access to local breweries (2pm – 6pm), a beer stein, and tickets to the post event concert. You won’t want to miss this years festivities!

Friday

Oct 23, 2026

7:00 PM

Maryland

Theatre



The SCREAM QUEENS (21+ EVENT) are headed to the Maryland Theatre for a special Halloween-themed drag show! Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and themed specialty cocktails to keep you fueled for this 2-hour spooktacular performance, including: Araya Sparxx, Madison St. Lawrence, Jalah Nicole, Brooklyn Knight, Amethyst Diamond. Music by DJ Sidekick. Create your own charm bracelet or necklace!

Your ticket includes reserved seat, full bar with beer, wine, & specialty cocktails (available for purchase), and photo opportunities. Only Debit/Credit is accepted at the Bar. Please bring cash for tipping the performers. The Maryland Theatre is a cashless venue and will not be able to provide change.