by Rocheford T Gardiner
HARPER, MARYLAND COUNTY – In a move to bolster support for some of the region’s most vulnerable citizens, the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
community in Harper recently received a significant donation of essential supplies.The donation, which included an assortment of clothing and LED flashlights, was provided by Mr. Joseph Barnes, a Marylander currently residing in the diaspora. The contribution comes at a crucial time, as the flashlights specifically address mobility and safety concerns for members during evening hours.A Timely InterventionThe items were officially handed over during the PWDs’ regular monthly meeting. Mrs. Comfort Harmon, Chairlady of the Maryland County PWD association, received the items on behalf of the group.In her remarks, Mrs. Harmon praised the initiative taken by Mr. Barnes, noting that such individual acts of kindness significantly impact the daily lives of members. She also Called for sustained support, urging other Marylanders—both at home and abroad—to follow this example of “giving back to the roots.”
This gesture marks the second major donation facilitated by a group of Marylanders in less than a year, signaling a growing trend of diaspora engagement with the local disabled community.Beyond Charity: A Call for Structural ChangeWhile expressing deep gratitude for the donated goods, the leadership of the PWD association utilized the gathering to highlight systemic challenges they continue to face.The group resounded its call for a higher budgetary allotment within the Maryland County Development Fund. Leaders argued that consistent, government-backed funding is necessary to move beyond reliance on sporadic private donations.”Charity sustains us for a day, but inclusion and infrastructure sustain us for a lifetime,” one member noted.In addition to funding, the PWDs highlighted a critical logistical hurdle: the urgent need for a dedicated office space. Currently, the group lacks a permanent headquarters to coordinate their activities, store donations, and provide services to their members.