Talbot County Government Employees Make Holidays Brighter for Area Families

Easton, MD – Talbot County Government employees participated in a number of events this year to make the holidays brighter for families in Talbot County. For the 11th year, Talbot County employees participated in the Adopt-A-Family Program coordinated in partnership with the Talbot County Department of Social Services. County employees adopted three families through the program with Talbot County Department of Emergency Services – D Shift taking the lead on adopting one of the families and golfers at Hog Neck Golf Course donating approximately 70 toys to the collection effort.

According to Karen Roberts, Office of the Talbot County Council, “This has been a very successful event for the past eleven years due to the generosity of County employees. We are happy to be able to provide each family with everything from household items and personal care products, to clothing and toys for the children. Everything was wrapped and ready to go under the tree!”

Separately, Talbot County Government employees contributed $2,279.00 to the Brighter Christmas Fund through fundraising for casual days throughout the year and coordinated a food-drive during November to benefit the Neighborhood Service Center’s food pantry, collecting enough food to fill several large boxes.

Talbot County Department of Corrections continued its annual holiday gathering in December for inmates and their families at the Talbot County Detention Center. Area churches and volunteers from Saint Vincent de Paul in Easton make the event possible each year. Cindy Green, Inmate Program Coordinator at the Talbot County Department of Corrections, coordinates the donations and holiday event, which includes a meal, a visit from Santa Claus, as well as gifts for all of the children. Terry Kokolis, Director of the Talbot County Department of Corrections, states, “This event creates a real sense of community for the inmates re-engaging with their families during the most festive time of the year. The Department really enjoys hosting this event which creates good trust and fellowship between the inmates and our staff.”

Councilman Frank Divilio who attended the event adds, “Winter can be a dark and depressing time for anyone, especially for those who are incarcerated. This event certainly brings light to those who are turning their lives around. I can’t thank the volunteers enough – both Saint Vincent De Paul and the Correction Officers who volunteered their time to run this event, along with Director Kokolis who supported the event.”