March 4, 2010

HAGERSTOWN — About 60 people gathered at Bulls & Bears restaurant Thursday night to celebrate the new location of Leadership Washington County and to participate in a fund-raising event for the organization.

Leadership Washington County is a nonprofit organization that provides leadership training and helps people understand the inner-workings of government agencies.

For three years, the organization was on the campus of Hagerstown Community College. It has moved to 38 S. Potomac St., said Julie Gaver, a member of the group’s board of directors.

Leadership Washington County wanted to move to be “a part of the downtown environment” and to take advantage of an incentive program offered by the City of Hagerstown, Gaver said.

The Partners in Economic Progress offers incentives like grants and waived fees, and Leadership Washington County will enjoy rent relief through the program.

A fund-raising effort for the organization netted $5,000 and the money was raised through five vacation packages that were donated, Gaver said. The money will be used for the organizations programs, she said.

People were able to buy tickets for $20 each for a chance at winning one of the trips, and the drawings for the “Get Out of Town Fundraiser” were held on the Bulls & Bears balcony Thursday night.

Before the drawing, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the organization’s new location, Gaver said.

Anyone interested in Leadership Washington County’s programs can learn more at www.leadershipwashingtoncounty.org.

Source: Herald-Mail