On September 7, Cowork Frederick celebrated our four-year anniversary with a birthday bash and charity event that raised funds for the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County. Members of Cowork Frederick came together to plan and organize the event. They contributed goods and services for a silent auction held during the event and rallied other downtown Frederick businesses to do the same. Their efforts raised $1042 to help cloth, feed, and find housing for students in the Frederick County Public School System encountering homelessness.

The event, which also launched the Cowork Frederick Charity of the Month program, celebrated Cowork Frederick members and their businesses and serviced as our September networking happy hour (there’s one each month). Unlike other happy hours, this event was open to the public, which gave others a chance to meet and get to know Cowork Frederick better. Representatives from SHIP were also here to spread the word about the good work they do.

The majority of the funds raised for SHIP came from a silent auction that featured themed baskets that included contributions from multiple donors. Event attendees bid on treats such as a Spa Day or a Family Night Out or on services to help with their business such as a Small Business Tune-up or a Fearless Creativity consultation session. Donations from the following businesses helped make this possible:

AIGA Artisinal Hair Company Aspire Women’s Clothing Boutique Beans and Bagels Celebrated Events, LLC Cowork Frederick IT Concierge La Paz

Paws In the City Terressentials The Law Offices of Matthew S. Johnston, LLC The Wine Kitchen Weinberg Center for the Arts White Lion Social Write Directions

Original paintings by local artist and Cowork Fredeick member Tom Semmes were on exhibit and Tom himself was here to discuss his work. Love & Dishes Catering made sure there was a steady supply of hors d’oeuvres for the event.