DHCD Dances to Success for 2017 Maryland Charity Campaign

This year, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s employees and leadership far exceeded expectations in contributing to Governor Larry Hogan’s mission to change Maryland for the better. Through our participation in the Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC), the state’s annual fundraising drive for employees and retirees, DHCD raised nearly $56,000, exceeding the department’s goal by more than 50 percent! In recognition of this achievement, the agency was presented with the Spirit of Giving award at the annual luncheon for volunteers. Lead DHCD coordinator Todd Scott was also honored as Coordinator of the Year, selected from more than 300 coordinators who worked on the campaign across Maryland. Loaned Executive Lindsay Renner was recognized by the Department with a special “Caught Doing Good” award for her successful efforts.

The department’s overwhelming success was a concerted group effort. Employees from all DHCD’s divisions came together for fun events that were each geared toward raising funds for specific organizations. Our jumping jack contest raised more than $1,500, and was the department’s single most successful fundraiser. Weekly food truck lunches benefiting Habitat for Humanity of the Susquehanna were also a big success, and allowed the department to further serve an organization that has been a long-standing partner.

The department also revived the friendly rivalry with the Maryland Department of General Services. Last year, Secretary Ken Holt challenged DGS Secretary Ellington Churchill and his staff to beat our participation numbers, and DHCD emerged victorious. This year, the two secretaries danced their way to a new challenge: in addition to seeing which agency could reach the highest participation rate, we also engaged in a line dancing competition benefiting the Autism Society of America’s Baltimore-Chesapeake Chapter. Employees from both agencies rose to the challenge, together raising more than $800.