The January edition of the Maryland VOAD Newsletter is now available. Find it here and sign up to receive additional newsletters each month to your inbox.
Do you have an update, event, or announcement to share with the rest of Maryland VOAD? Send your information and pictures to CommunicationsCoordinator@MarylandVOAD.org to be shared on our social media or by the 25th of each month to be included in the next newsletter issue.
Missed the last Newsletter? Find it here!
Check out the upcoming events below:
| DATES | Conference or Training Event | Location and Registration |
| Dates vary by location | Central MD American Red Cross Training | Schedule and Registration |
| March 9, 2026 | Maryland VOAD Quarterly Meeting | Host Needed |
| March 16-18, 2026 | 2026 Mid-Atlantic VOAD Regional Conference View the brochure | Cacapon Lodge in Berkeley Springs, WV Registration is open! |
| May 4-7, 2026 | National VOAD Conference | The Peppermill Reno, NV |
| June 8, 2026 | Maryland VOAD Annual Meeting | Host Needed |
| September 14, 2026 | Maryland VOAD Quarterly Meeting | Host Needed |
| December 14, 2026 | Maryland VOAD Quarterly Meeting | Host Needed |
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
On behalf of our Board of Directors–Christina, Jenn, Thea, Bruce and myself, I want to thank all of our Members, Partners and Affiliates for the commitment you have made to work together over the past year. For the survivor families and individuals whose lives we have touch, I have seen first-hand, what an incredible difference we have made in their lives, and the hope that our cooperation, communication, collaboration and coordination has brought to them.
We have continued our support of the Eastern Shore Long-Term Recovery Committee’s work to elevate and repair 100 homes on the Lower Eastern Shore. We have supported the communities in the George’s Creek Valley of Allegany County when devastating floods ravaged many homes in May. We have helped these communities establish the Western Maryland Long Term Recovery Group and begin their work of helping survivors reach recovery. (At our Quarterly Meeting on Monday we will have time to review the work we have done together in the George’s Creek Valley.) We are on the cusp of putting the Maryland VOAD tool trailer into service, as we are securing the best supplier to spend our $25,000 raised for purchase of new tools. This list doesn’t include the myriad of responses many of you have made individually, that reflects positively on all of us.
We (Maryland VOAD) is made up of 60 organizations. It might seem to the outsider that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to get that many organizations to work together. But, that simply is not my experience as one who is involved in this coordination. One of my great joys is what I experience as an extremely high level of commitment to work together for the good of the residents of Maryland. I believe this is our greatest achievement of this past year (and previous years)!
As this year comes to a close and we enter the most special of holiday seasons, I wish all of you and your families the best of celebrations and holiday gatherings. I look forward to our work together in 2026–knowing, unfortunately, there will undoubtably be much to do.
Holiday blessings to all!
Phil
The Church of the Brethren is announcing an open position for Program Assistant for Brethren Disaster Ministries – Children’s Disaster Services located at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, MD.
Applications will be received beginning immediately and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Qualified candidates may send a cover letter and resume to COBApply@brethren.org.
Follow the link for more information: https://www.brethren.org/about/employment/
FURNACE REPAIR
Furnace assessment and repair is desperately needed as winter weather settles in and many families are without heat.
If you, or someone you know, can service electric or gas furnaces – we need your help.
Send an email with your contact information to:
CONSTRUCTION CREWS
Please begin recruiting volunteers to join construction crews to compete a variety of projects in support of survivors in Western Maryland.
For more information contact – ellen.udovich@gmail.com
Can you host the tool trailer in 2026? Your support helps to the raise funds needed to outfit the Tool Trailer and to increase awareness about Maryland VOAD.
Email Chairperson@marylandvoad.org if you are interested in hosting the trailer in a lot near you.
Maryland VOAD welcomes new members–spread the word. Join the movement today!
To request an application, send an email to membership@marylandvoad.org.
Check out the full list of our Current Members, Partners, and Affiliates.
October 30, 2025, Governor Moore signed an Executive Order 01.01.2025.21 declaring a state of emergency as an actionable step to deliver resources following the loss of SNAP and other economic benefits to Marylanders. Maryland Business Emergency Operation Center (MBEOC), and its partners, offer the following:
HomeFree›USA is now a proud member of Maryland VOAD!
HomeFree›USA advances economic opportunity and homeownership in communities nationwide. As a government-approved housing counseling organization with over 30 years of proven success, we help homebuyers and homeowners achieve and sustain homeownership.
Whether purchasing a first home or working to keep one, individuals and families receive expert guidance from a trusted Maryland-based housing counseling agency. HomeFree›USA provides the tools, education, and support needed to make homeownership more attainable and sustainable.
With a 0% foreclosure rate among members, HomeFree›USA continues to make the homebuying journey easier, smarter, and more affordable. The organization is looking to extend its commitment to helping communities prepare for and recover from crises that impact housing stability.
To learn more visit HomeFreeUSA.org.
Maryland Food Bank is in need of volunteers now through the first week of December to help sort donated food and work in their commercial kitchen.
Individual volunteers or groups can sign up by going to the Maryland Food Bank website.