Insurance and Finance Professionals Giving Back

Welcome from Our President

 Holiday Toy Drive

Each year, GCCF hosts an annual Toy Drive to bring joy and hope to children in local hospitals, schools and shelters.  We typically than arrange for holiday parties with visits from Santa and the Oriole Bird to distribute the gifts.  The 2020 Toy Drive, much like everything else, will look different, but we remain committed to helping the children and their families.

We are excited about the partnership we have formed for this year’s toy drive.  Instead of in person visits to hospitals, etc., we will be hosting a Virtual Holiday Dance Party with DJ Kopec to celebrate the season!  We invite everyone to attend and ask that you please help us spread the word!

The dance party will take place on Saturday, December 5, 7:00 – 8:30 pm.  You will be able to access the dance party here: Virtual Dance Party

To donate to the Toy Drive, you can choose a gift from THIS REGISTRY or make a donation HERE and we’ll do the shopping for you.

Gifts can also be delivered in person to the B&O Railroad Museum during regular business hours, now through December 5.  The museum is located at 901 W. Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223

The year 2020 will be written about in history books as one of the most unusual and difficult periods in modern history.  The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on our health, our economy, our schools, our supply chains and so much more.  The Greater Chesapeake Charitable Foundation is committed to helping our communities heal.  That’s why we plan to support relief efforts across all sectors on both an individual and organizational level.  If you would like to bring a particular cause to our attention for consideration, please contact us.

COVID Relief Partners

GCCF Donates Meals for Healthcare Workers

During the pandemic, while most of us are doing our part by staying home and practicing social distancing, our nation’s healthcare workers continue to go to work every day to keep the rest of us healthy and safe.  The Greater Chesapeake Charitable Foundation (GCCF) is focused on supporting those on the front lines of this crisis.  We are proud to partner with Kooper’s Tavern to donate $4,200 in meals to local healthcare workers.  Together, we have delivered more than 400 meals to various units at Baltimore area hospitals, including Johns Hopkins, MedStar Health System, and LifeBridge Health.

GCCF Volunteers at Local Farm, Picking Potatoes for Food Banks                     

Demand for healthy affordable food has increased substantially during the pandemic and GCCF responded with helping hands.  Members of the GCCF board, along with their families and friends, volunteered at First Fruits Farm to help harvest crops to be distributed to local shelters and food banks.  In addition, GCCF donated $1,000 to support food distribution efforts during these challenging times.

First Fruits Farm is a Christian ministry dedicated to providing fresh, nutritious produce to those experiencing hunger in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Since 2004, thousands of area volunteers have helped harvest over 16.5 million pounds of fruits and vegetables to share with local food banks, homeless shelters, soup kitchens and other food providers.

GCCF Supports Mental Health Services for Children

The children supported by the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) are already fragile – trying to heal from so much adversity, loss and trauma.  C.A.S.E.’s CEO, Debbie Riley, reports, “I’m seeing the most dramatic spike in severe symptoms in my entire career as a therapist.  Anxiety and depression magnified by the pandemic.  Children running away, thoughts of self-harm, suicide attempts, some needing to be hospitalized.  The needs are growing daily with more families reaching out for help than ever before.”  GCCF contributed $1,500 to C.A.S.E. to assist with the cost of counseling and specialized support services.

Throughout the year, the Greater Chesapeake Charitable Foundation will continue to support the community through COVID-19 emergency relief efforts.  Several of our next targeted areas of support will include services for veterans and the support of rapid rehousing efforts and related wrap-around services to help residents transition from homelessness into independent housing.

Thank you for your support of the Greater Chesapeake Charitable Foundation and our efforts to assist our community with COVID relief efforts!

Katie Caple, CPCU, ARM