Posted by Julia Menton ● December 11, 2017

Home Sweet HoCo: Best Ways to Give Back

Welcome to our Howard County blog series! In #HomeSweetHoCo, we bring you weekly updates on everything Howard County has to offer in one place, distraction-free, cost-free, and born out of a love for the place we call home. 

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The holiday season is the perfect time for giving to those who need it the most. Here at Apex, we believe that helping others feel at home in their communities is part of our job, and giving back is essential. This week, we've rounded up easy ways for you to spread holiday cheer by giving back to the community!

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Project Linus of Howard County

An organization near-and-dear to our Howard County branch, Project Linus provides hand-made blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. They are always looking for new, homemade, washable blankets! All blanket styles are welcome, provided they meet the previously-mentioned criteria and were made in a smoke-free environment.

This week, we are participating in a blanket-making event for Project Linus, where we are creating blankets from scratch. Not only does Project Linus benefit a great cause, but it’s also a rewarding way to come together, give back, and spend some quality time as a team. To get started, check out their blanket patterns and find a drop off location in Howard County!

One Warm Coat

One Warm Coat’s mission is to provide one warm coat to every person in need, and as the winter season begins, they need coats now more than ever! The organization is looking for gently-used or new coats of all sizes, and Apex is the place to bring your donations. This is our fourth year supporting the drive, and we have expanded the drive to include our MoCo, HoCo, and NoVa branches!

United Way of Central Maryland

The United Way of Central Maryland is committed to helping families facing poverty obtain housing, affordable healthcare, employment, and overall family stability. During the holidays, you can “Adopt-a-Family,” providing special gifts and winter weather gear for those who can’t afford the expense. United Way also has a winter clothing drive, so you can donate new winter coats, hats, or gloves to those in need.

Community Action Council of Howard County

The Community Action Council of Howard County serves low-income residents in several ways, like with housing assistance, food assistance, and energy assistance. Volunteers are always needed at their community garden, and at their food bank, where volunteers help sort, organize, and stock food products. If you’re interested in volunteering, fill out the submission form (all volunteers must be over the age of 9!).

Grassroots Crisis Intervention

Grassroots Crisis Intervention is a local organization in Columbia that provides a crisis hotline and counseling, as well as shelter and resources for those in need. In addition to their year-round services during the holiday season, they are seeking new items for people of all ages on their holiday wishlist. Or, you can simply donate unused gift cards for Walmart, Target, food stores, or gas stations, as well as donating goods for use in their kitchen or shelter.

Amazon Smile

For many of us, we are already buying gifts for the holidays using Amazon, so why not support local foundations while doing it? Shopping at smile.amazon.com provides you with the same products and prices as using the main site, but Amazon Smile will donate a portion of your purchase to an organization of your choosing. Check out the local organizations you can support!

Give the Gift of Warmth

Help us warm up our community by supporting our One Warm Coat drive. Bring new or gently used coats to our Montgomery County, Howard County, Northern Virginia, or Ocean City offices!  

Topics: Apex in Action, home sweet hoco, home sweet hoco blog series, giving back in howard county, holiday volunteering in howard county

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