American Legion Post 217

College Park, MD 20740

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College Park American Legion Post & Unit 217 Support Special Olympics

By Ivy Christoffers

Hyattsville Chief of Police, Doug Holland and his family, wife, Susan and daughter Desi, were the guests of Post 217 on April 4th where Doug was presented with a $600 check in support of the 20^th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics of Maryland by K. C. Christoffers, Chairman of the Special Olympics Committee for Post 217. K.C. has worked very diligently over the past few years raising funds to support all the Special Olympic events. He has organized volunteers, made and raffled airplanes, provided transportation to and from events all over the state, sold Special Olympic Torch Run T-shirts and caps and has assisted the staff in setting up and breaking down and officiating at the events. One could definitely say his “heart is with the athletes.” In addition to the $600 mentioned above, ($500 from Post 217 and $100 from the sale of an airplane made by K.C.) there have been other donations; for example, at the Pancake Eating fundraiser held in April and won by the Mayor of College Park, (for the 4th year in a row) $500, ($250 from Post 217 and $250 from the Sons of the American Legion. The Post and Unit donated $2,400 earlier in the year making a grand total thus far for 2006 - $3,500, and we are not through yet.The Special Olympics Torch Run will be coming through Prince George’s County on June 7th, starting in Mt. Rainier and continuing on Route 1 to Laurel, where it will be passed to Howard County on the 8^th and will end up on June 9th being carried into Towson Stadium for opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Summer Games. Police Chief Holland has been chosen to represent the State of Maryland in the National Torch Run beginning June 26th from Soldier’s Field in Chicago (site of the first Special Olympics World Games in 1969) and ending in Ames, Iowa on July 3rd. Bob Janus, area Director of Special Olympics Prince George’s County attended the first World Games. Prince George’s County Special Olympics spring games will take place on May 3rd at Prince George Co. Sports and Learning Center in Landover. Volunteers are needed and very welcome. K.C. is organizing a “willing hearts and hands” work crew. He can be reached at the Post 217 web site www.al217cpmd.us. KC’s e-mail and phone number are listed there.  

Hyattsville Police Chief Doug Holland is presented a check for $600 by American Legion Post 217 Special Olympics Chairman K.C. Christoffers in support of the 20th annual Torch Run for Maryland Special Olympics. Looking on is Doug’s wife Susan, Family Coordinator of Maryland Special Olympics and Volunteer Coordinator for Maryland Special Olympics Prince George’s County and their daughter Desi, a Special Olympic athlete who was named Maryland’s Special Olympic Athlete of year in 2004

Special thanks are expressed to Unit members who cooked and served the spaghetti dinner on March 31. Some said it was the best ever. Thanks also to the bakers who supplied the goodies for the bake table and to the anonymous 50/50 winner who donated their winnings back to the fund. Finally, thanks to the diners who supported the event. It was a very successful fundraiser for Unit 217. 

The annual Children’s Easter Party, chaired by Charlie Allen and Katy Beard on April 9th was another success thanks to all their able assistants, Miss College Park, the three Miss Greenbelts, and the Post and Unit members who pitched in, and the children and parents who attended. 

April 15th was the clothing bazaar for Perry Point VA Medical Center and our members did not hesitate to use this opportunity to clear some space in their closets. Several carloads of clothing and personal items were donated to this worthy cause, outfitting veterans with suitable wardrobes for returning to the workforce. There were 80 American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary volunteers who helped the veterans “shop,” at no cost, for their new and nearly new clothes, shoes and personal items. Our customers were delighted and all left in high spirits. 

 We must not forget the upcoming Memorial Day observances. Please take the time to join in and show your respect to our military, past and present. Attend an observance and wear your “Poppy of remembrance.” They sacrificed so much for our freedoms and all they ask is that we “do not forget.” God bless our troops and God bless America.

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Last modified: October 04, 2009