Midshipmen Help Food Bank, Older Folks During Pandemic

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Midshipmen have found ways to volunteer from a distance, even during a coronavirus outbreak at the U.S. Naval Academy. Between food collections, elder check-ins and youth development, the brigade is still active in the community.

Patch partners with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from the Downtown Annapolis Partnership. Here's what Executive Director Erik Evans wrote about the midshipmen's volunteer work:

"This month[,] with the COVID vaccine rolling out to even more age groups, the weather getting warmer and events like the current Annapolis Restaurant Week, we are seeing more locals safely enjoying downtown Annapolis. This past weekend[,] the outdoor café tables filled with diners, who also enjoyed shopping and strolling through the historic downtown area.

One group though is still out of sight as you stroll Annapolis. The [Midshipmen] ... that usually get to enjoy running through the community, visiting sponsor families [or local businesses,] are still not out on the sidewalks of Annapolis due to COVID safety measures. However, they are still out (virtually) in the community doing volunteer work to make Annapolis and Anne Arundel County even better.

Some of the highlights of the work the [Midshipmen] have been doing in the community include:

Since the start of the pandemic, the [Midshipmen] have worked with the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities to bring joy to our senior citizens who are staying isolated to stay safe during the pandemic.

Midshipmen reach out every Monday to engage in (virtual) senior center conversations with our community elders. Midshipmen have also made friendly phone calls to check in on senior citizens. During Older Americans Month[, Midshipmen] also participated with the county in a video honoring our seniors.

In November 2020, the United States Naval Academy, through the Midshipman Action Group, donated over seventy-five thousand pounds of much needed non-perishables to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. This was a new record for the amount of food the [Midshipmen were] able to donate.

Midshipmen started a virtual outreach pilot program with the Boys and Girls Clubs in the spring of 2020. In September of 2020, the Greater Washington, D.C. area Boys and Girls Clubs started virtual programming in a more expansive area and our Midshipmen immediately joined as volunteers. The lead Midshipman-volunteer for Boys and Girls Clubs was highlighted during Women's History Month.

During Black History Month, the first United States Naval Academy African American female Brigade Commander, Midshipman First Class Sydney Barber, was recognized for her historic achievement by the Mayor and the Annapolis City Council.

Also recognized at this City Council event on February 22nd was Midshipman First Class Madeleine Cooke as the first United States Naval Academy Dignity and Respect Officer as well as this year's recipient of the Anne Arundel County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Drum Major Award. Other Midshipmen in leadership/striper positions were recognized as well during the event in honor of Black History Month.

Midshipmen of the Latin American Studies Club, together with USNA Professor Sylvia Peart, is assisting those in our Annapolis community who are learning English as a second language with virtual sessions.

There are many other virtual outreach projects that Midshipmen are executing at this time, including the planning for a virtual Special Olympics event in April and planning for the event to return in person to Ingram Field at the Naval Academy next year.

"Though we still look forward to seeing and interacting with the [Midshipmen] in person when it is safe for them to do so, we are proud they are still in the community and making a difference[,]" says Erik Evans. "The Annapolis community is proud to have the [Midshipmen] as part of the community."

If you looking to support the Brigade of Midshipmen during these challenging times you can Order a Snacker-Box for a MID and the snacks will be delivered to Bancroft Hall and the two hotels that are currently housing our future military leaders. All proceeds from the Snacker-Box program are donated to the Morale & Welfare fund for the Brigade.

In the meantime, mark your calendars for May 26-28 to see the Blue Angels perform over downtown Annapolis.

Erik Evans
Executive Director
Annapolis Arts District
Downtown Annapolis Partnership"

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