Jacqueline Dunn Kellum

As we wrapped up another successful year with A Child’s Christmas, we did so with a heavy heart as we remembered our dear friend, Debi Grim who was responsible for starting this project more than 15 years ago. Between sponsors and donations, we provided gifts and food for 73 children from 27 families in Pasadena who are recommended to us by the school counselors. Our very generous sponsors put their hearts and souls into purchasing gifts for their families. Some of our sponsors do all the shopping, while others have their employees or teams buy gifts. One of our sponsor groups rents a bus and take about 40 adults on a pub crawl which serves two purposes: to raise money for A Child’s Christmas while supporting Shop Local. Another sponsor is a PBA business owner who showed her granddaughter the true meaning of Christmas by having her shop for our one our children. We are so fortunate every year to have so many of the same sponsors who make it easy for us. Many thanks to Calvert Vet, Marie Johnston, Chesapeake High School Cheer and Football teams, Chesapeake Robotics, John and Bunnie Clark, Stephanie Molony, Brown’s Toyota, North Arundel Federal Savings Bank, Fay’s Bus, Melanie Meeks, Stacy Mork, Friends of Downs Park, Jenni Smith, Leah Stocksdale, Cityline Business Park, Clark and Anderson, Holly Bair, Ace Hardware, Jet Blast, Crabby Crawlers, Chesapeake High School faculty, Baker Sisters Dentistry, Northeast High Drama department, Arundel Federal Savings Bank, Absolute Underground, The Office, Victory Lounge, Pat’s Select, Michele Dunn, Huff Insurance, Lauer’s Supermarket, BB & T Bank, Margie Englert, Peggy Preloh, Carmie Buckey, Kelly Murphy, Sue and Josh Chiasson, Bay Country Rentals, Shirley Jacobs, Bonnie Dausch, The Bank of Glen Burnie, PBA Leads Group, David Moore of Coldwell Banker, Diana Levine, Arundel Business Bulders, Idea Weaver Promotions, and anyone who made a donation at the tree lighting or brought a toy. Donations are used to purchase gifts and Lauer’s gift cards for families. We are able to pull everything together due to the help of Sandi Parrish and Melissa Bajadek. John Mason graciously opens the doors of Kurtz’s Beach so we can bring in volunteers from the Chesapeake High Football and Cheer Teams to wrap gifts and sort food. Lastly, thank you to Lisa and Rob Elliott who spearheaded a food drive at Chesapeake High School so we had plenty of food for our families. Thank you everyone and may you all have a safe and blessed 2017.