Our Beneficiaries - supporting community needs

In keeping with the mission of Christmas in St. Michaels, the beneficiaries selected for 2011 include organizations that provide support services for St. Michaels residents of all ages to enhance their quality of life.

The Character Counts project at St. Michaels and Tilghman Elementary Schools is dedicated to providing the framework for citizen-based community character enrichment programs. The funds this year will help to train volunteers and provide materials which deliver age-appropriate lessons of good character and teach the importance of making good choices.

Once again this year, funds will be provided to the St. Michaels site of Critchlow Adkins Children's Centers for tuition assistance scholarships. Families with young children will be able to access quality childcare in a nurturing, diverse, safe, and enriching environment.

Phillips Wharf Environmental Center's goals are to educate and create understanding about the ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay and the heritage and life of the Chesapeake Bay waterman. One of PWECs very successful resources is the Fishmobile, which brings a hands-on educational program that promotes science literacy for all visitors, particularly children. Approximately 700 people boarded the Fishmobile last season alone. The Christmas in St. Michaels funds will be used to purchase supplies to maintain the Fishmobile programs.

St. Luke's Nursery School provides pre-school aged children in the St. Michaels community with the opportunity to attend a program of early enrichment education. Funding will provide tuition scholarships so that all children in the St. Michaels community, who desire, may have this opportunity.

The St. Michaels Community Center is a community service organization which provides many programs for all citizens of St. Michaels. A community theater is one of these outstanding programs that the center offers. This year's grant will provide funds for a portable stage that will help to facilitate its productions.

The St. Michaels Fire Department's mission is to "protect the lives and property of Talbot County citizens." Its area of responsibility includes over 9,000 people. The Christmas in St. Michaels grant will enable the fire department to purchase a life-saving Rescue Extrication Tool.

The Union United Methodist Church will be celebrating its 160th year in 2012. This year's funds will help Union United Church to restore its historic 1895 Hardin and Son pipe organ in time for its anniversary celebration.

The Wilson Reading Garden at the St. Michaels Library was built by and is maintained by volunteer Master Gardeners. The funds from this year’s grant will go toward the repair and replacement of columns supporting the pergola and the trellis at the garden.

You Food Project is a grassroots organization dedicated to connecting youth to food and their environment through school gardens. Funding will provide garden supplies for this program at the St. Michaels Elementary School.