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This past weekend was the second annual Annapolis Juneteenth Parade & Festival to celebrate and commemorate the emancipation of the last enslaved Africans in the United States. A big thank you to Annapolis Juneteenth and all the volunteers that helped make it such a beautiful day!
If you would like to walk with us in the upcoming 4th of July Parade, you can sign up here to receive more information. We would love to see you and your family there!
Birthday Breakfast THIS THURSDAY
I am so happy that so many of you have already RSVPed for Thursday's Breakfast Fundraiser with special guest, Chairwoman Vanessa Atterbeary. If you're planning on attending but haven't gotten your ticket yet, make sure you reserve your ticket & RSVP here before they're sold out! Don't hesitate to reach out to Ryan on my team at ryan@mellingergroup.com or at (720) 492-9635 with any questions!
Endorsement Alerts!
In case you missed it, I’ve received four new endorsements. I am so proud to have the support of the Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Association, AFSCME Maryland, the Metro-Baltimore Council AFL-CIO, and Mom’s Demand Action as a Gun Sense Candidate. As the daughter and granddaughter of AFL-CIO members, I personally know the importance of standing with workers and their families. I will always fight to improve the lives and working conditions and I look forward to working alongside these organizations as we work to make Maryland an even better place to live and work for all. Earning the distinction of a Moms Demand Action & Everytown for gun safety, Gun Sense Candidate 2022 is a huge honor. As I said in my last newsletter, I have been at a loss for words and devastated by the relentless gun violence that is taking place across this nation. I have always been and will continue to be a tireless advocate for commonsense gun regulations that allow us to live our lives without constant fear of gun violence. I look forward to working with Moms Demand Action and its members on this critical issue area.
Supporting Our Parents
Many thanks to ShareBaby for inviting Speaker Adrienne Jones, Senator Bill Ferguson, Delegate Maggie McIntosh, and myself to celebrate my bill removing taxes on diapers in Maryland, making us the 12th state to do so. I look forward to our continued partnership for Maryland Families.
A reminder for diaper banks, pantries, and other nonprofits, you can apply to become a “Qualified Charitable Entity” to thank your donors with a tax deduction for their contributions. For more information, contact my office at dana.jones@house.state.md.us. Additionally, you can access the Qualified Charitable Entity Application here.
Marching for Our Lives
I was proud to speak at the recent Annapolis March for Our Lives rally. As a Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Gun Sense Candidate by Everytown for Gun Safety, I will continue to support & demand common-sense gun violence prevention policies. I am grateful to the organizers & over 200 activists who came out to show their support for this important issue that has impacted so many in our community.
Career Day with Tyler Heights Elementary
I recently had the pleasure of spending time with some very bright students from Tyler Heights Elementary for Career Day! We had a great discussion about what it's like to be a representative in the Maryland House of Delegates and I got to hear so many great bill ideas from them. A big thanks to Ms. Garner for letting me spend the morning with her class!
Paca Girlfriends Party
The Paca Girlfriends Party, hosted by Historic Annapolis, is one of my favorite events of the year. Not only does this fundraiser support the important work of Historic Annapolis but I loved getting to #ShopSmall and support many of the local, women-owned businesses that were at the event as vendors. Congratulations to everyone who made this year's Girlfriends Party possible on another beautiful event!
COVID-19 vaccines for Children Under 5
In case you missed the news, the FDA has authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 5 years of age. Appointments are required and can be scheduled for any of the 11 upcoming clinics hosted by the Anne Arundel County Health Department. Parents can schedule an appointment for their child HERE!
Parking Permits Now Available
The City of Annapolis and Annapolis Parking recently announced that residents may purchase their new Fiscal Year 2023 Residential Parking Permit (RPP) effective immediately. City residents who live in one of the City’s five zoned districts may purchase their new permit online here. The new permits will be effective from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Residents with a current permit must purchase their new permit before July 1, 2022 to ensure their vehicle’s permit is valid for this new registration year. After July, residents may purchase permits on a prorated basis throughout the year. RPP stickers will be sent to residents via U.S. mail soon after purchase. Complete details and to purchase a permit for a zoned district can be found here.
Hurricane Season Preparedness
With the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season on June 1, remember to make or update their family’s emergency preparedness plan. Knowing your risk, getting prepared, gathering supplies, and staying informed are just a few steps you can take to get ready for the 2022 hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting another active hurricane season. Take action now to be prepared for hurricane season. Waiting until a storm is approaching can often be too late to start getting ready. Make sure you have family evacuation and communications plans, update your emergency supply kit, and evaluate your flood insurance needs. You can access more tips & resources from Annapolis OEM here.
Love Our Libraries
June is Pride Month and this year, AACPL is honoring the legacy of the LGBTQ+ community by celebrating Pride all month long. In their efforts to make ALL individuals feel welcome, heard, and supported, they are hosting a month full of events and sharing of resources for community members of all ages. I encourage everyone to attend or check out their list of resources. See the full list of events here.
I encourage everyone to follow the Anne Arundel County Public Library’s Facebook page to get updates on programs and new resources. You can check out their calendar to find the perfect event for you and your family to enjoy!
Women’s Caucus Formula Finder
The national baby formula shortage has greatly impacted families in our communities, so the Maryland Women's Caucus sought to create an outlet for parents to crowdsource formula sightings and also do an inventory check in real-time. This website helps ensure that ALL families have the resources to locate available formulas. If you are shopping and see formula available, please take a quick moment to let parents know by adding the info to the tracker. Please help us share this project widely so that we can help out as many families as possible throughout the state! Visit: https://wcformula.com/
Office Opening Party!
Join County Executive Steuart Pittman, Senator Sarah Elfreth, Delegate Shaneka Henson, Delegate Dana Jones, and Councilwoman Lisa Rodvien as we officially open our campaign office and kick off the 2022 campaign! RSVP Here! Food and beverages will be provided and We hope to see you there! Please feel free to reach out to dylan@sarahelfreth.com if you have any questions.
A New Superintendent for AACPS
Congratulations to Dr. Mark Bedell for being unanimously approved to serve as the next superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools! I look forward to working with him in supporting our schools, our teachers, our students, and our parents.