(Baltimore, MD) – According to a 2008 study by the Baltimore City Health Department and Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health Sommer Scholars Program, the residents of Baltimore’s Jonestown/Oldtown area are more likely to be categorizes as least healthy; have mortality rate and are poorer than most Baltimore City residents. Recognizing the need for quality health and housing information and community support in this area, Baltimore-based, independent retailer DTLR has partnered with District 12 Councilman Jack Young, Amerigroup and Nike to host a Day of Community. The event will take place on Saturday, August 8 from noon – 4 p.m. at DTLR’s Church Square Store (923 N. Caroline Street).
The event will feature:
• Basketball court restoration in partnership with Nike
• Amerigroup’
• Health information from the American Heart Association, National Bone Marrow Registry, Department of Health (STD information)
• Health screenings, eye exams and dental information
• Fun family activities and food: Moon bounce, face painters, balloon artist, snowballs and hot dogs
“We are excited about the event because we will be providing much needed information and resources to the community,” said Sherri Goodall, DTLR Community Outreach Manager. Our partner Amerigroup will provide height and weight information and let attendees know about PACK insurance. We will also have housing, STD information and health screenings.”
The event will also provide the community with a safe playground. “Our staff and church volunteers with support from Nike will restore the playground that sits on the church property adjacent to our Church Square store. We want this event to be fun and informative for the entire community. But most of all, we want to leave the community with a long-lasting impact and the basketball court is just that,” said Goodall.
Having a lasting impact on the community is something DTLR has been doing since its inception more than 25 years ago.
Since its inception the company has been committed to the community and giving back. Before Basketball Buc$ ® and Homeroom Huddle TM, two of the DTLR’s signature programs, there were park and alley clean ups, shoe giveaways, tables with balloons outside the stores.
“… giving back is a part of the DTLR culture,” says Jeff Bowden Director of Marketing & Community Outreach. “It was a mandate to managers from the original owners. Giving back was something that we were going to do. In the early days each region and store did their own thing. ”
In 2003, the company decided it was time to move from regional giving programs to a corporate giving program. Homeroom Huddle and Basketball Buc$ ®, and Santa’s Helpers were birthed from this process. The DTLR Book Club for Boys and the DTLR Corporate Volunteer Days were added later.
And it all started in the Jonestown/Oldtown community.
“When they first opened their store on Church Street, I met with the then owners,” said Councilman Jack Young. “I was a community leader back then and I talked to them about giving back to this community. They made a commitment then, and have been a part of this community since. I remember them assisting with lots of projects in this community … they were at Madison Dome with their banners and all. When we finish on Saturday the kids will have a new basketball court and the entire community is welcome, but we will make it clear that the drugs and negativity around there now is not.”
Saturday’s event is free and open to the public. For more information go to www.dtlr.com.
www.dtlr.com
