TED

"Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding." Video. Transcript.

United Way is seeking projects and volunteers for this year's Day of Caring, held on Thursday, September 19. Please submit your Residential Day of Caring Project Request here as soon as possible. Applications for Nonprofit Day of Caring Projects can be submitted here. Deadlines for both projects are coming soon! If you're interested in volunteering for the DOC, fill out this form to make an impact on Washington County. Or you can Make an online donation here (select "Day of Caring" and manually enter your donation in the amount field). Contact Kate Younkins, Director of Engagement, with any questions at 301-739-8200 x 103 or kate@uwwcmd.org with.

Saturday, September 21, 5:00 - 9:00 pm

Starts at Congregation B'Nai Abraham

53 E. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown

To honor the International Day of Peace, an Interfaith Progressive Dinner will be held at three different local houses of worship representing three different faith traditions. Small plates of food will be served at each location as we progressively move from place to place. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn about different faith traditions, sample spiritually and culturally relevant foods, celebrate the International Day of Peace, and build community. Learn more and register HERE. Flyer.

August 14-16, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Washington County Free Library Fletcher Branch

100 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

Small Hands - Big Hearts: Community Builders Summer Day Camp for 1st thru 5th Graders. "Be A Builder - At Home, At School, And In My Community." Free of charge, Community Guests, Cooking, Music, Games, Service, Arts & Crafts & Library Adventures! Directed by Hagerstown Area Religious Council. Volunteers are needed all three days; time slots 10-12:30pm or 12:30-3pm. For more information or to volunteer, contact Ashlee at jon2ash@gmail.com or text 801-860-1301. Want to sign up a child for the camp? Click Here to register by August 2. Poster. 

The Hospice of Washington County Bereavement Team announces a resource "toolkit" for grieving children and teens! This "toolkit" is a box full of multiple resources, comfort items, workbooks, and materials that have been designed to match a student's developmental level. Toolkits are available for the following age groups: Pre-K/Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School aged students. Each toolkit provides educational and helpful materials to help a student and family navigate grief and loss. English and Spanish resources are available. Information Website. Request a Toolkit. Information Email: Bereavement Counselors Stephanie Nalley and Jennifer Morningstar. Check out a video to preview these toolkits.

HARC Interfaith Choir forming this Fall to perform at HARC's annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and downtown during the holidays. Choir director wanted. Contact Sandy Boyer if interested.

Washington Goes Purple is excited to share that WGP merchandise and rope light signs are now available to purchase. Merchandise. When ordering merch you have 4 options to choose from this year as they had two winners from their t-shirt contest! 

Signs / Rope Lights (In Memory of, in Honor of or Sponsored by). They have 100 signs and once they're sold out, they're sold out. Sales go until August 12 to get back before Recovery Month! Spread the word & order your merch today! All proceeds go directly to the WGP Scholarship fund through the Community Foundation of Washington County. 

Wednesdays, 12:00 pm

Hagerstown Community College ARCC

11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown

Is the heat hurting your walking exercise program? Join Walking 2 Wellness, sponsored by Prime Time for Women (Facebook), as they walk every Wednesday at noon at HCC's ARCC inside track. Each Wednesday they have a speaker from the health community give a 10 minute presentation on various subjects and then the group ... including men ... are off and walking in an air-conditioned facility. You can walk as much as you like. Eight times around the outside perimeter of the track equals a mile. It is free. You can get your steps in and meet new friends. The group has been growing strong for more than 2 years.

Now throughout the Fall Months

John Wesley UMC

129 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

Supply beds and bedding to children of families who can't afford beds! For Sleep in Heavenly Peace, 18835 Artillery Road, Hagerstown, MD, 844-432-2337, ext. 5958. Website. Flyer.

HARC has completed our summer calendars of free and low-cost VBS, camps, and other activities for children and families. Here is the new AUGUST calendar, which you can also find on our website.Coming up for the week of August 12: HARC’s Summer Day Camp. Please feel free to share with the community and anyone who may be interested!

It’s not surprising that the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment identified mental health as the number one healthcare priority in Washington County, and that priority has become even more dire since COVID. It’s affecting our children and adolescents as well. Brook Lane and Meritus have established a Bold Goal of zero suicides in Washington County. The best way to work toward this goal as a community, is to educate yourself on how to detect if someone is struggling with mental health issues or contemplating suicide and what to say or do to help them. Would you know what to do if a friend, neighbor, student, your child, spouse or co-worker was suicidal? If not, please consider registering for one of our FREE upcoming Mental Health First Aid trainings! You never know when it might just save a life!! For more info or to register, visit: https://www.brooklane.org/events/

Wednesday, August 7, 7:00 pm

Hagerstown City Park Bandshell

501 Virginia Avenue, Hagerstown

Free Christian music series featuring the group CROSSWAY. Hosted by Valor Ministries. Flyer.

Thursday, August 8, 4:30 - 7:00 pm

Family Healthcare of Hagerstown

201 S Cleveland Avenue, Hagerstown

A FREE Community Event for the Whole Family! Giveaways, Free Food, Health Screenings, Resources/Education, Activities for all ages. For more information, contact Laura Pennington at

laura.pennington@familyhch.org or 301-745-3777 ext. 1097. Flyer.

Friday, August 9, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Office of Consumer Advocates & Soul Haven Wellness & Recovery Center

119-121 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

Housing, Employment, Expungement, Resource Event! Fun!! Walking Tacos!! Drinks!! Snow Cones!! Door Prizes!! Games!! Re-Entry Team: Stanley Ireson & Ryan Graham. Flyer. Info: 301-790-5054.

Friday, August 9, 7:00 pm

University Plaza, Hagerstown



Washington Goes Purple is hosting a FREE outdoor movie night at University Plaza! The movie Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire will be showing. Movie will begin at dark. The Dog House will be on site providing food. Best costume wins a prize. Event hosted by WGP and Parks & Recreation.

Friday, August 9, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Unity of Hagerstown

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD

ELAINE SILVER is an award-winning performer, songwriter, touring and recording artist (22 CDs) with a thriving music ministry, with the voice of an angel. She is also a trans-denominational minister and a Licensed Spiritual Practitioner (RScP). Elaine has created many songs inspired by Unity’s Daily Word Magazine, an inspiring publication read by millions around the world. The Daily Word is uplifting with a universal spiritual message. it's medicine for the soul! $25 at the door OR $20 in advance. For more info about Elaine - www.elainesilver.com. More info: www.unityhagerstown.org, 240-409-5940

Friday, August 9, 7:30 pm

912 Maryland Avenue, Hagerstown



5K Run/walk benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project. 100% of net proceeds go to Wounded Warrior Project and the Mason-Dixon Warrior Adventures. Register HERE. Event sponsored by City of Hagerstown.

Saturday, August 10, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Otterbein United Methodist Church

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

Kids' Closet. Lots of gently used and some new clothes for infants to teens. Most sell for 25 cents each. No limit on these clothes! New diapers, wipes, underwear, and socks at reduced rates. Please come and bring friends to Otterbein United Methodist Church on the corner of Franklin and Locust Streets in downtown Hagerstown. Flyer.

Saturday, August 17, 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Hebron Mennonite Church

13315 Highlane Street, Hagerstown

Join Hebron Mennonite Church for free music outdoors, with Walking Tacos and watermelon. A variety of music styles and artists will include Code Blues, Debby Simmons, Neveah and Dwayne, and Hebron Hymn-singers. Come and bring a friend and your lawn chair and join the summer fun. Contact information for questions or RSVP: 717-658-8765.

Sunday, August 18, 3:00 pm

Grace United Methodist Church

712 W. Church Street, Hagerstown

One God Man Voices Gospel Concert featuring Jesus Gang, Voices of Unity, and The Bowies. Free Will Offering. Facebook. Flyer.

Tuesday, August 20, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Otterbein United Methodist Church Parking Lot

(Corner of E. Franklin and N. Locust)

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

This is a one-time, food “drop” for our neighborhood. Suggest you bring sturdy grocery type tote bags to carry your food/produce home. Recommended especially for those who fall within the WIC Income Guidelines - (Example: Family of 4 with income less than $40,793). For More Information Call Maryland Food Bank – Western Branch, 301-733-4002 OR Otterbein United Methodist Church, 301-739-9386. Flyer.

Monday, August 26, 7:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown

Octogenarian Ellouise Schoettler, visual artist; fabric collagist who uses quilt making to explore genealogy; spoken-word-artist and political activist from both local and national halls of power – describes the arc of her life interview-style with dear friend and fellow creative Susan Gordon, reminiscing about Schoettler’s recurring response to hardship, devastating personal, familial, national and world challenges – to re-invent herself, reminding all the rest of us what we – especially women – are capable of. $12 in advance. $15 at the door. Children 12 & older welcome when accompanied by a parent or group leader. Contact: Fanny Crawford, 301-730-1638 or fanitsky@hotmail.com.

Sunday, September 29, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

The Maryland Theatre

21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

ON SALE NOW: Reach of Washington County presents the 19th Annual Taste of the Town on Sept 29! Taste of the Town is one of the largest and oldest tasting events in the area, showcasing the culinary talents of local chefs. Ticket proceeds go directly to Reach’s programs. To purchase tickets, visit mdtheatre.org/town or call the local Box Office at 301-790-2000.