Nonprofit Combats Food Insecurity + Care For All Coalition Formed

Welcome to the Laurel Daily! Here you will find newsworthy events going on this week, including a restaurant food-fueled effort to combat food insecurity, creation of a coalition that will help those who cannot afford health insurance, and the introduction of a vision with a mission that aims to have zero fatalities and serious injuries in Prince George’s County.

Weather Report:

Today, the weather will be cloudy in the morning, then it will alternate between clouds and sunshine in the afternoon. Temperatures will reach a high of 81 degrees.

Here are the top three stories in Laurel today:

1. CASA, the Prince George’s County chapter of the NAACP, Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative and 1199 SEIU joined forces to create the Prince George’s County Care For All Coalition. The Care For All Coalition is a partnership dedicated to campaigning for expanded health care services in Prince George’s County through the creation of a centralized primary care system available to those without health insurance. (WTOP)

2. A creative effort to combat food insecurity in the D.C. region expanded Thursday as the “Feed the Fridge” program added another location in Prince George’s County. Mark Bucher founded and launched his Feed the Fridge program last summer in response to food insecurity that developed during the Coronavirus pandemic. This program stocks refrigerators around the area with free meals that anyone can take, no questions asked. All meals bought from local restaurants and donated to this program are nutritious and balanced. The refrigerator that was added in Prince George’s County on Thursday marks the program’s 22nd fridge. (WTOP)

3. New analysis of recent traffic data shows Prince George’s County is Maryland's most dangerous place to drive or walk. The county has acknowledged its need to improve safety on its roads, establishing Vision Zero Prince George’s, with a mission statement aiming to have zero fatalities and serious injuries on its roadways by 2040. Two Vision Zero task forces are already working: One is reviewing crash analysis reports to identify the county’s crash “hot spots” and propose roadway improvements. The second task force is working on public outreach efforts. (WTOP)

Today in Laurel:

• June's Finger-Paint Party at sweetFrog – Celebrate sweet pineapple this month during this one-hour event! It includes all art supplies, step-by-step instructions and then a cup of sweetFrog to celebrate your masterpiece! This is not a drop-off event. Children must be accompanied by one adult. Both adults and children are welcome to participate. (6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
• Laurel Dutch Country Farmers Market – Located at 9701 Fort Meade Road, the market is open. (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
• Team Trivia at American Legion – Join DJ Blue at the American Legion in Laurel tonight for Team Trivia! (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
• 1st Annual Mini Golf Tournament for PTSD Treatment – Help tackle the challenge of daily losing 22 veterans to suicide due to PTSD. Participate in a day of mini golf, friendship, food and drinks, and spirited competition in support of the non-profit Headstrong! Founded in 2012, Headstrong provides confidential, cost-free, and stigma-free mental health care treatment for military veterans, deployed government civilians, contractors, and their families. (7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• Emerson Forest Restoration Volunteer Session – Perform a few tasks including tree protection, invasive species removal (multiflora rose, vines, and others). Warning: Poison ivy is on site! Volunteers will be accompanied by the Howard EcoWorks UpLift crew members. The meeting location is across the street from 10165 Deep Skies Drive in Laurel. All attendees must wear long pants, work boots and work gloves. You must wear a mask and consent to having your temperature taken upon arrival. (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
• Kidz Pick – Experience a perfect mixture of excitement, creativity and fun-filled activities. Each day the schedule will include Krafty Kids, Amazing Artists, Spectacular Sports, Great Games, Science Superstarz, and Nifty Naturalist. Lunch will be provided to all campers. Camp will follow HCRP Summer Camp COVID safety policies. Contact Ovan Shortt for more info by calling 410-313-1693 or via email, oshortt@howardcountymd.gov. (7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• Derrick Lewis's Basketball Camp – Join U of MD's All-ACC Player and Coach Derrick Lewis as he brings his exciting basketball experiences to the courts! Coach Lewis and his staff pride themselves on the ability to teach basketball skills and fundamentals to young players. Visit www.derricklewisbasketball.com for more information. Call Patrick McGinnis, 410-313-4716 or pmcginnis@howardcountymd.gov for more info. (9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
• Rube Goldberg: Wacky Fun at Laurel Hybrid Summer Camp – At this Rube Goldberg Camp, kids can learn how to build a simple machine and learn about the connection to 19th Century Mill life. Monday is virtual, the rest are onsite. For registration forms visit www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org or contact info@laurelhistoricalsociety.org. (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Gardens Ice House Summer Camp – Join this camp for affordable fun! Sports, games, contests, a mobile video game, arts and crafts, team building challenges, and special activities are offered. This camp’s proven curriculum and programming formula allows the instructors to roll through the day weaving high intensity and low impact activities together so that every type of kid has their moment to shine! (9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Laurel Patch Notebook:

• Laurel TV is looking for a part-time reporter (Details here)

Now you’re all caught up with the local news and events for today!

If you want to reach me with news about the City of Laurel, send an email to me at this address (laurel@patch.com) and include “Laurel News” in the subject line of your message.

Before you go, let me tell you a bit about me since my newsletter will arrive to your inbox on a daily basis. My name is Alexis A. Goring. I’m a Bowie area resident with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I’ve worked as a freelance reporter for years in the media industry.

I’m also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work.

Here’s the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

I’m looking forward to bringing you all the latest news on a daily basis.

Stay safe and enjoy the day!