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Jake Hoffpauir didn't ask for cool stuff for his eighth birthday on June 15. He asked his friends to help make a difference.
"With all the families in need we talked and decided it was best to help others," his mom, Kathryn Hoffpauir, wrote in an e-mail to The Gazette.
Jake and 24 of his generous friends donated more than $500 to a charity that Jake chose because it helps children and families in his community: Germantown Help.
"It was his choice though. He could have chosen two friends and I would have taken him out on the town or he could have done this," Kathryn said Friday.
On June 17, Jake, his sister Laura, 10, and his mom brought the donation to Germantown Help's Executive Director Cindy Majane.
"It made me feel good because I was helping out people who needed things," Jake said Friday. Jake saw Germantown Help's pantry and noted that "There was a lot of food. The most I saw was baked beans."
Jake's friends helped him celebrate his birthday with a punt/pass/kick party and then some kickball. Way to go, Jake!
For more information about Germantown Help, visit www.germantownhelp.org, e-mail info@germantownhelp.org or call 301-482-1320.
Denim-overload
The generosity continues in Germantown. Students at Great Seneca Creek Elementary School donated more than 740 pair of denim jeans that will be recycled and turned into insulation through Cotton Inc.'s Cotton. From Blue to Green drive, according to Rachelle Roth, who organized the event with the school's PTA. Cotton Inc. set out to collect enough pairs of jeans and set a record in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest collection of clothes to be recycled.
As of June 15, more than 20,443 pieces of denim had been collected, according to National Geographic Kids, which partnered on the project with Cotton Inc.
There is still time to get involved. Send denim attire by June 30 to: NG Kids / Set a Guinness World Record, P.O. Box 98001, Washington, D.C. 20090-8001. Send shipments that cannot be delivered to a P.O. box to: NG Kids / Set a Guinness World Record, 1145 17th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.
A happy tune
Students at Roberto Clemente Middle School raised more than $9,000 for their fellow classmates at a musical fundraiser this month.
Music students from the Germantown school performed popular songs "unplugged" at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown on June 12 to kick-off the school's charity. Roberto Clemente Community Services will supply students in need in the Clemente cluster with items to help them express themselves such as musical instruments, sports equipment and art supplies.
Over 200 people attended, and the students raised more than $9,000 through ticket sales and a silent auction, according to music teacher Randi Levy. The school will have over $8,000 after expenses to help homeless or needy students in the fall, she said.
"All in all it was a wonderful night with over 60 donated items auctioned," Levy wrote in an e-mail to The Gazette. "A little over 200 people were able to raise that kind of money in one evening. It was truly inspiring!"
Campus Congratulations
Melanie E. Heida of Dickerson received high honors for the spring semester at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Nurse recognized for work
Claude "Skip" Margot of Germantown is a regional finalist for the 2009 Nursing Excellence Awards, which honors nurses from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Several nursing leaders at Shady Grove nominated Margot in the "Advancing and Leading the Profession category," which recognizes nurses who have made contributions that advance and strengthen the nursing profession or the delivery of patient care, according to a statement from the hospital.
Margot, who has nearly 30 years of nursing experience, has been the chief nursing executive at Shady Grove since March 2008. Prior to joining Shady Grove, he was the chief nursing officer at Bon Secours Hospital in Baltimore.
Music by the river
Sugarloaf Regional Trails, a nonprofit for people interested in preserving the Potomac River, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the rural way of life, will host Songs of the Civil War on Saturday.
Come out to Edwards Ferry from 2-4 p.m. where Doug Jimerson, opera vocalist, accompanied by a classically trained banjo and fiddle, will offer selections from his CDs, "The Civil War Collection" and "Jimerson Live at the Kennedy Center."
The event is part of Montgomery Heritage Days. Members of Sugarloaf Regional Trails will be at Edwards Ferry noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to answer questions about the historic site. For more information, contact President Peg Coleman at PleasantSS@aol.com or 301-972-3452.
To get to Edwards Ferry, at River and Edwards Ferry roads, Poolesville, take Fisher Avenue, which becomes Whites Ferry Road. Take the road toward Whites Ferry and turn left onto Edwards Ferry Road. Follow the Heritage Days signs.
Volunteer at golf tournament
The AT&T National Golf Tournament comes next week to the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda and organizers are looking for volunteers. Those who give their time get free admission the day they work, free parking and a free meal, as well as a chance to see their favorite golfers.
The tournament is Tuesday through July 5 at Congressional, 8500 River Road. Volunteers may work a shift at food concessions that earn money for nonprofits.
Shifts run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. or from noon to close. Volunteer hours are certified for student service credits at Montgomery County Public Schools, he said. To sign up, go to www.traveltelevision.org and click on the "Sign up for golf" icon.
A picnic to celebrate 20 years
The Greater Goshen Civic Association will mark its 20th year with a picnic from 4-7 p.m. Saturday.
The group was formed to preserve the history and quality of life in Goshen, according to a statement from the association. It represents homes and neighborhoods around the Goshen Branch of Great Seneca Creek.
The picnic is at Church of the Nazarene, 8921 Warfield Road. All former and current association members are invited. Reservations are required. Call 301-926-5008 or 301-670-0610 or email OurGGCA@hotmail.com.
Happy day
Waters Landing Elementary School's PTA celebrated the school's 20th anniversary with a spring fair last month.
Students and families enjoyed moon bounces, face painting, balloon animals and games, according to a statement from the PTA.
The Germantown school's PTA would also like to congratulate the school's Maryland PTA Reflection Art Program winners. Vedant Jog received the Award of Excellence in Literature and Visual Arts, while Birgitt O'Connor received the Award of Merit in Photography. The Maryland PTA Lifetime Membership winners are parent Pam Wilson, parent Jeff Wilson and staff member Beth Glad.
Radio field day at MC
"Ham" radio operators will host a training field day where they will set up stations in obscure locations to see how many other stations around the world they can talk with.
There is a 24-hour period in which to make these contacts using emergency power generators, solar power, wind power or other forms of energy, according to a statement from the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club. Operators will use certain frequencies using HF, VHF, UHF radio signals to talk to others stations, satellites and the possible contact with the International Space Station and space shuttle.
Amateur radio operators and the public are invited to attend the Montgomery field day. The field day is 2 p.m. June 27 to 2 p.m. June 28 at Montgomery College-Germantown, 20200 Observation Drive.
Summer flicks
Poolesville has announced the line-up for its annual summer music series.
All concerts will be held at 7 p.m. at Whalen Commons, 19701 Fisher Ave. Picnics, blankets and lawn chairs welcome. Free. For more information, visit www.poolesville.com.
The schedule is: June 28: The Poolesville Band Project; July 5: Bill Euler; July 12: Doug Bell; July 26: Brian Gross; Aug. 2: Right On & Far Out; Aug. 9: Bill Euler; Aug. 16: Speed & Thro; Aug. 23: Ernie Bradley and the Grassy Ridge Band; Aug. 30: Off the Wall; Sept. 6: Doug Bell; Sept. 13: The Poolesville Band Project; Sept. 20: The Back Pages Band; and Sept. 27: Brian Gross.
Gone fishin'
Seneca Creek State Park, 11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, is offering fishing lessons for parents and children.
The one day clinic, called "Take Me Fishing" will be held at the park's boat center Saturday, July 11 and 25. The 21/2 hour program starts at 8:30 a.m and will go over fishing basics, such as knot tying, how to cast, and baiting your hook. The program will be guided by Seneca Creek State Park's boat center supervisor, Ted Manley.
This program is free, but requires reservations. Rods and reels are available for participants. All other fishing supplies will be provided by the park.
To register, call 301-963-8788.
Share your good news! Send submissions to Melissa A. Chadwick via e-mail at mchadwick@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or mail to The Germantown-Boyds-Poolesville Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Photos will be considered.