On Tuesday, October 11, nursing students from Notre Dame University of Maryland and volunteers from Constellation Energy teamed up with our staff for a day of service to administer flu shots and provide winter necessities to our clients. Any client who received a flu shot was eligible to receive a new coat or socks and a hygiene kit packed with essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, shampoo and deodorant. A total of 103 clients received flu shots during the course of the morning.

The volunteers from Constellation Energy gathered for lunch along with members of our staff to discuss the morning and hear from one of our former clients. Many of you may have read Mary Beth Dobrzynski’s story about her dental journey on our website. Yesterday, she spoke about how she lost her home at 57. She also highlighted the difficulties single women, in particular, face when they are living on the streets or in shelters. Noting a privileged upbringing and that she holds a Master’s degree, Mary Beth’s story is a sobering reminder that homelessness does not discriminate.      

Special thanks to Kevin L. for stopping by during lunch and to Beza, Patrick, Makeda, Neketta, Nilesh and Cyndy for helping to make the day such a success.