Recommendation
Recognize major donors who were instrumental to the successful implementation of the 2009 Rockville Holiday Drive. Present plaques to donors who contributed more than $1,000 and certificates of appreciation to donors who contributed $200 or more.

Discussion
Despite the continuing economic downturn, 94 donors contributed over $18,200 that was used to purchase food, toys and gift cards for the 2009 Rockville Holiday Drive. In addition, 180 individuals contributed 416 volunteer hours to assist with Holiday Drive activities, including residents recruited by the King Farm Community Services Committee, and employees of Fortigent and Convergent Wealth Advisors. Volunteers were assigned to sort food donations, pack and distribute over 400 Thanksgiving food baskets, assist with a Thanksgiving dinner for 92 Rockville seniors, decorate our Secret Toy Shop and assist with the distribution of new toys to nearly 700 children ages 11 and younger. Another 315 youth ages 12 to 18 received gift cards to a local retailer and 159 Rockville households composed of seniors or adults with no children received gift cards for groceries. Finally, the Family Sponsorship Program matched 56 families with sponsors who provided gifts tailored to each family's specific needs.

Manna Food Center, IMAAM Center, Montrose Baptist Church, and Rockville Church of Christ served as partners for the distribution of Thanksgiving baskets. CAS & Associates, a local accounting firm, provided an additional 20 Thanksgiving baskets. Nine local schools sponsored food or toy collection drives, including Maryvale, Twinbrook and Lakewood elementary schools, Christ Episcopal and St. Mary's schools and Robert Frost Middle School, which collected $630 and over 1,000 cans of food through its annual Turkey Trot.

Also noteworthy was the continuing support provided by distinguished donors Realty Capital Partners, Venable Foundation and Carl Peterson; Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, whose employees sponsored 13 families; and Federal Realty Investment Trust, which donated a vacant office that was used for our Thanksgiving and December distribution activities.

Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council have traditionally recognized and thanked the major donors for the City's annual Holiday Drive.

Department Head:



Burt Hall, Director of Recreation and Parks
Approved on: 12/22/2009

City Manager:

Scott Ullery, City Manager
Approved on: 12/22/2009