By Greg Ellison

(Feb. 18, 2021) The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City, which adapted its fundraising efforts to abide by coronavirus safety protocols last spring, looks to carry on its charity campaigns and continue building membership during 2021.

Kiwanis Press Relations Chairman Dave Landis said after holding one in-person fundraising event in early 2020, the group spent the remainder of last year reimagining its approach.

“We had a pancake breakfast in February and that was the end of our fundraisers,” he said. “Everything else had to be cancelled.”

Landis said pandemic health safety restrictions led the group to focus on month-long weekly drive-up charity endeavors, with Kiwanis members at the Ocean Pines Community Center parking lot to collect food, clothing and holiday gift donations at various times in 2020.

“We did a lot of community projects,” he said.

In May, the group held a weekly food drive to help stock the shelves at the Diakonia Emergency Food Pantry and repeated that effort in December.

During November, Kiwanis members held a combined toy and coat drive that set new marks for both ends.

“We had 300-plus coats this year,” he said. “The community absolutely stepped up to help us.”

The Kiwanis annual winter coat drive, co-chaired by Susan Wineke and Kitty Wrench, which had been slated for October, ended up with a record number of donations despite the revised dates

The bulk of the cold weather gear was distributed to the Joseph House in Salisbury, with a smaller donation going to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ocean City.

“We also donated some coats to Diakonia that went to their actual clients, not the thrift store,” he said.

Landis said toy donations were collected to support the holiday gift campaign operated by Worcester GOLD (Giving Other Lives Dignity).

Challenged to continue past fundraising efforts during 2020, which in large part help support annual scholarships for Stephen Decatur High School graduates, the Kiwanis Club launched a new pick-three lottery campaign in August.

Through the end of last year, club members sold 2021 “Lottery Raffle” tickets, which are tied to Maryland’s daily evening straight pick-3, at the Ocean Pines Artisans and Farmers Market, with 1,000 tickets numbered from 000-999 available for $20 each.

“There’s a winner every day, because we sold every ticket,” he said. “It’s worked out well for us and we’ve decided to make it an annual thing at this point.”

Landis said the lottery campaign, which blossomed into the groups’ top fundraising endeavor of 2020, is set to launch again later this year after a gaming license is obtained from Worcester County.

“You have to be authorized, you just can’t do it on your own,” he said.

In a push to boost membership, Kiwanis International late last year unveiled a free yearly membership offer through the end of December.

“We actually picked up nine members that were all inducted,” he said. “It was done for all the clubs throughout the organization.”

Landis said the latest round of scholarship applications from graduating Worcester County high school seniors are under review, with Immediate Past President Roy Foreman overseeing the process.

“They’ve been getting in the applications and … we’re still going to award scholarships,” he said. “We’re not sure of the dollar amount but that’s why we’re raising the funds we are with the lottery raffle.”

Landis said the hope is to get close to the roughly $15,000 amount collected in prior years.

To add a bit more to the tally, Kiwanis President Steve Cohen is raising funds through a themed facemask sale.

The handcrafted masks are produced locally and cost $10 each or $25 for three, with adult and children sizes available.

Contact Steve Cohen at 301-667-3099 or email stevecohenjd@gmail.com to purchase or learn more information.

Looking ahead, Landis said the group is finalizing plans for a new “Karwanis” event to forge regional partnerships.

“We’re going to have a car show in Ocean Pines down by the Veterans’ Memorial on Sat. May 29,” he said.

Landis said the Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City chapter is part of Kiwanis Division 5 of the Capital District, with the “Karwanis” event started by the district Lt. Governor Christine Johnson, who is also president of the Accomack club.

“The first one they ever had was late last year in Pocomoke and some of our club members helped,” he said.

The inaugural “Karwanis” event raised more than $3,000 and also helped gain exposure for the organization.

“We all try to help each other on this and promote Kiwanis,” he said.

Landis said a preliminary meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday to finalize details for the car show.

“We’re hoping that covid doesn’t knock us down,” he said. “If it does, we’ll have to cancel everything in May.”

Further information is available online at kiwanisofopoc.org or by visiting the Kiwanis Club of Ocean Pines-Ocean City Facebook page.

To inquire about membership email Landis at djlandissr@ gmail.com or call 410-641-7330.