HOLiDAY IN THE DESERT MARYLAND of

The Christmas season is very special within the Desert of Maryland. Temples and Courts use this time to have clothing drives, provide holiday meals, visit nursing centers, and so much more. This year, the Desert of Maryland took part in its first Desert wide toy drive. Something typically done within each respective Oasis, the Deputy of the Desert Honorary Past Imperial Potentate Anthony Thorpe (4) wanted to have a Desert wide effort to ensure less fortunate children could have presents for Christmas despite their situation. Desert Assistant Rabban Past Potentate Nelson Moody

(4) and Desert Community Service Directress Daughter Diveda Crawford (197) chaired this event for the Desert that resulted in 10 vehicles full of toys.

On the cold morning of Friday December 23rd, Nobles and Daughters representing all nine Temples and all eight Courts assembled to sort and load vehicles with toys. Deputy of the Desert Honorary Past Imperial Potentate Anthony Thorpe (4) and Deputy for the Desert Honorary Past Imperial Commandress Desert Patricia McCoyLassiter (210) spoke briefly about the good collective effort and meaningful impact the donations will leave on the youth. In a vehicle procession, the “Desert Elves” made its first stop at the Karis Home for Women and Children. The Karis home is in operation to provide emergency shortterm help for homeless women and children by providing food, clothing, shelter, showers, and a one-hour gospel service each evening. There were 11 children ranging from three months to 15 years old that received over half of the donated toys and gift cards for the older children. The second location of toy donations was the Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland. This organization is a refuge for families and pediatric patients who are undergoing medical treatment for illness or injuries at a Baltimore area medical facility.

The heartwarming moment wasn’t just delivering the toys but the immediate sight of appreciation. A worker from the Ronald McDonald House helped unload toys and was brought to tears by seeing a group of people that looked like him doing such a good deed. He shook hands and hugged everyone present while fighting back tears. Before departing, he prayed with the members present and wished all a happy holiday season. Following the delivery of toys, there was a caravan of cars headed to grab lunch together and enjoy each other’s company. Both Deputies of Desert expressed their gratitude to each Temple and Court collecting toys as well as braving the cold weather to deliver them. This only solidifies the Desert of Maryland’s motto “9 Temples + 8 Courts = 1 Desert”.■