President’s Message
Dear Neighbors,
We once again welcomed spring and opened the season with our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Thanks to our Chairman, Jesse Schmeizer, who has also served as the Ocean City High School (OCHS) Student Volunteer Chair, and assistance from his Committee of students and his parents, Lisa and Marshal, we had another grand gathering of little ones joined by the Easter Bunny. There were happy faces and a thousand+ candy-filled eggs, cameras capturing wonderful memories, and sunshine that added to a beautiful morning. Jesse and his crew did a great job as usual. We thank everyone who helped make our 10th Annual Easter Egg Hunt a success !!!
This year, we aligned our Beach Cleanup with Earth Day on April 21 and welcomed a new Chair, Pam Gray. Greg Donohue was joined by Mary Oves at the OC High School to conduct scholarship applicant interviews and we were able to provide three scholarship awards at the June awards ceremony. The Mayor and other dignitaries joined us for our 3rd Flag Day ceremony on June 9 as we honored our OC Veterans. We also collected worn flags for proper disposition.
Duane Sonneborn continued to collect donations for our Annual Yard Sale which we held on June 16, and our July 4th Bike Parade was as successful as always. Pete Morrison continues to serve as Chair of the Volunteer Committee and he is looking forward to new additions to his Committee for this event in 2019.
We extend our sincere thanks to our Committee Chairs and our members who help support these activities and make them profitable and enjoyable for all. Our events are a great way to meet others in the community while raising funds to support our local scholarship awards and charities. Our activities are open to all. We look forward to hearing from you and to seeing you soon – ongoing events and our success depends on you !
Sincerely
Pat Watts
President, OCGCA
THANK YOU Notes
Our Board members serve for limited terms and, this year, two long-term dedicated officers stepped down, Rich Bennett and Debbie McKenna. Rich served as our Newsletter Editor, Recording and Corresponding Secretary, Beach Clean Up and Scholarship Chairman, and Co-Chair of our Yard Sale, in addition to helping with other important activities. Supporting various activities as well, Debbie has also held the office of 1st Vice President on the Board, and Chair of our Membership and July 4th Bike Parade Committees. We thank Rich and Debbie for their devotion and their leadership while they have selflessly served on the Board, and for their heartfelt generosity to the OCGCA and to our community. They will be greatly missed on the Board, but we hope they will carve out time in their busy schedules to join us at future functions – as guests or as helpers – while we continue to commit to carrying on the legacy of their good work and of the OCGCA.
As our treasured Board members move forward, we have big shoes to fill once more. We hope you will seriously consider joining the Board, assuming Chairmanship of a Committee, joining a Committee, or planning a new event we can add to our schedule.
WHAT’S NEW ?
The Civic Association expanded OCHS student involvement this year following our attendance at the OCHS Volunteer Fair. As Jesse goes off to college this year, we are recruiting additional student volunteers to support our activities. This year, we also welcome Mary Oves, Lucille Hagar and Pam Gray who are working with the Board and helping on various committees.
It was suggested that we reach out to the South End Civic Association to determine if there might be interest in sponsoring city-wide activities or joint efforts. Initial discussions have begun. We hope to hold our Beach Cleanup events on the same dates and are exploring different joint activities. We will post progress as plans begin to materialize. Let us know what you think.
At this time, our upcoming 2018 and 2019 schedule includes the following activities and fund raisers. Please contact Committee Chairs or Board Members noted for more information, if you have suggestions, or if you would like to volunteer.
OCGCA 2018-19 Schedule of Events
Saturday, October 20 Beach Cleanup
10:00 am Longport Bridge Parking Lot Trash bags will be provided
Chair: pgray1385@aol.com
Saturday, December 1 Trim-a-Tree w Santa
3:00 pm Flag area by Longport Bridge. Please register w Pat in advance
Chair: LJWatts4@aol.com
2019 Events
Saturday, April 20 Easter Egg Hunt
10:00 am North Street Playground Chair: Lisa Hartman
May / June Scholarship Interview Seniors / Awards Ceremony
TBD Ocean City High School Chair: GregDonahue@hotmail.com
Saturday, June 8 Flag Day Celebration Honoring our Veterans
11:00 am Flag area by Longport Bridge. Accepting worn Flags for proper
disposal.
Chair: LJWatts4@aol.com
Saturday, June 22 Yard Sale
8:00 am Donations are accepted by the Board throughout the year
Chair: DuaneSonneborn@comcast.net
Thursday, July 4 Bike Parade
10:00 am Start Longport Bridge Parking Lot
Volunteer Chair: PDMorr@comcast.net
Co-Chairs: Greg Donahue Duane Sonneborn
Saturday, October 21 Fall Beach Cleanup
10:00 am Longport Bridge Parking Lot
Chair: pgray1385@aol.com
