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EASTON – The holidays came early for 124 local elementary school students, who each
received new winter coats, hats and gloves thanks to Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post
5118, Talbot Goes Purple and the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday, November 25, 2024, VFW Post 5118 Commander Kenley Timms and Talbot
County Sheriff Joe Gamble, assisted by uniformed deputies, delivered 124 gift bags filled with
new winter coats, hats and gloves for students at Easton Elementary School, Chapel District
Elementary School, White Marsh Elementary School and Polaris Village Academy.
“We are so grateful to the Sheriff’s Office, the VFW and Talbot Goes Purple for collaborating on
this generous gift,” said Darlene Spurrier, Director of Student Services for Talbot County Public
Schools. “These coats, hats and gloves will be lifechanging for some of our most vulnerable
students as we enter the winter months. What a beautiful example of collective impact!”
Major Steve Elliott, Chief Deputy with the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, coordinated the
program with the assistance of Lori Stepp, Grants Coordinator for the Talbot County Sheriff’s
Office. “Last year when we did our annual toy drive, I noticed that several of the children did not
have a winter coat,” said Maj. Elliott. “That led to the coat drive this year, which thankfully the
VFW made possible for us to do with their generous donation.” Mrs. Stepp was charged with
purchasing, collecting and packaging the gift bags for distribution.
VFW Post 5118 has long supported Talbot Goes Purple with donations each year that help the
program provide substance use prevention education and activities for local youth, and this year
graciously providing funding for the coats, hats and gloves.
Talbot Goes Purple is a substance use prevention program that empowers our youth and our
community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The initiative
includes purple clubs in our local schools, through which students learn they do not need drugs
or alcohol to meet life’s challenges. Talbot Goes Purple is in partnership with the Talbot County
Sheriff’s Office, Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter and Paul Schools and Mid-Shore
Community Foundation.
For more information, Media Contact is Kelley Callaghan, 410-934-7537, email
[email protected], or find TGP on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple.
Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by
law.
