Harford Community College held its annual GED Recognition Ceremony, during which 19 students earned a high school diploma through Harford’s Adult Literacy program.

The adult literacy program offers GED preparation and English as a Second Language. Adults in the ESL program can transition to GED preparation classes to earn a high school diploma and enroll in post-secondary education programs, according to the release.

A $1,000 scholarship award was given to the college from Southern Harford County Rotary during the ceremony. The Southern Harford County Rotary Marge Pearce Scholarship gives out $1,000 annually to students enrolled in GED programs who reside in Abingdon, Belcamp, Joppa or Edgewood.

Students who completed their GED include: Jade Brannon, Teara Davis, Mandy Fox, Magaly Gomez, Kaitlyn Groscup, Dayanaira Hailey, Destiny Haney, Dawn Hensley, Miranda Hope, Albert Lester, Rahaf Maqousi, Ashton Mills, Anthony Nori, Adam Okrasinski, Elizabeth Onoja, Allyssa Perry, Mariette Seri, Destiny Wick and Aiden Woolford.

Women’s Giving Circle of Harford County Awards more than $61,000 in grants

The Women’s Giving Circle of Harford County awarded $61,448  in grants to 14 nonprofits in the county.

The organization is celebrating its 15th anniversary by providing 192 grants to 64 nonprofits that serve women, families and children.

Three new grantees received funding this year are St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Rage Against, Inc. and Victoria Russell Foundation.

“The first 15 years are a testament to engaging women of all generations in the power of community philanthropy,” said Donna Kreis, the chair of Women’s Giving Circle, in a statement. “Together, we look forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of women and families for many years to come.”

Ten total grantees each received $5,000 to help their organizations continue to serve the community.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will use the money to sponsor half the cost of the WillPower Mentoring Program, which provides youth empowerment for personal development and one-on-one mentorship for 20 boys enrolled at Edgewood Middle School, according to the statement. Rage Against Addiction, Inc., will use the money to support ReStock for Recovery, an initiative providing essential supplies for women in three recovery homes in the county. Lastly, Victoria Russel Foundation is using the money to help launch Edgewood is Rolling into Reading, a literacy program for children and families in Edgewood that provides age-appropriate books monthly from birth to age 5.

Grants ranging from $2,000 to roughly $3,000 were given out as well to various organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, Harford Family House, Inc. and Harford County Education Foundation.

Since 2020, the Members’ Choice Award has been given out to a nonprofit that the Women’s Giving Circle members nominate. Each nominator is featured in a video, explaining why their nonprofit should receive the award, according to the statement. The amount awarded to the nonprofit is based on the Women’s Giving Circle endowment fund. Last year, $6,074 was given to LASOS. The 2025 winner will be announced on Dec. 2.

Harford County Public Schools raise more than $270,000 for American Heart Association

Students and staff across Harford County Public Schools participated in the American Heart Association’s Kid Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge raising more than $270,000, according to the school system.

Twelve schools participated this year, and raised $55,000 more than last year. Almost 3,900 students registered online, where they shared heart-healthy messages and raised money to help fight heart disease and stroke.

“Schools within Harford County Public Schools consistently demonstrate the importance of community support and engagement,” said Kate Poole, Senior Development Director of School Engagement for AHA, in the release. “Together, we are helping children build healthy habits, while also equipping families with lifesaving knowledge that creates stronger, more resilient communities.”

Three HCPS school ranked among the Top 20 fundraising schools in Maryland: Homestead-Wakefield Elementary School, which raised $65,263 ranking first in Maryland and 10th nationally; Hickory Elementary School which raised $44,641 ranking second in Maryland and 40th nationally; and Fallston Middle School which raised $41,287 putting them at third in the state and second middle school nationally.

Other schools ranked within the top 20 in the state: Forest Lakes Elementary School (10), Emmorton Elementary (13), Patterson Mill Middle School (17) and Churchville Elementary (18).

“We are incredibly proud of our students, staff and families for their generosity and continued commitment to this effort,” said Superintendent Sean Bulson in a news release. “Supporting the American Heart Association not only benefits our community today but also prepares students to act in moments of crisis that could one day save a life.”

Project Safe Space hosting free community festival in July

Project Safe Space will host a free community festival called Divergent Day in partnership with Divergent Donuts, on July 6.

Project Safe Space is a nonprofit organization committed to healing, inclusion and creative expression. The event will be geared toward inclusivity, diversity and acceptance, centered around community members coming together in a positive way.

The event will feature a dunk tank where guests will have the chance to dunk a city official, browse through over 20 local vendors, play games and get their face painted.

Local authors will read to children and there will be live performances and giveaways. Community members planning to attend should register online at https://www.joinpss.org/events/divergent-day.

Have a news tip? Contact Shaela Foster at sfoster@baltsun.com or 443-826-5894.