Chamber of Commerce and churches get ready for J-1s

Hudson Branch sign-up is at Henry Park.

Volunteers can also choose to spend their time anywhere they feel needs attention.

Trash pickup will be available; items for pickup will need to be placed in one location in the clean-up area and the town must be contacted so that crews are aware of the location.

Volunteers are asked to sign in and pick up supplies at the town’s parks and at the Berlin Welcome Center starting at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, contact Ivy Wells at iwells@berlinmd.gov or Allison Early at aearly@berlinmd.gov or call 410-629-1716.

Information can also be found on Facebook at “Take Pride in Berlin Week.”

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(April 13, 2023) Summer Work

Travel students or J-1’s can be the lifeblood of some of the local businesses during the bustling summer tourism season.

More than 2,500 students from numerous countries come to the Ocean City area to work for the summer, and for many, it is their first time in the United States.

Ocean City and Ocean Pines Chambers of Commerce work with the local businesses, churches and other organizations to welcome the students and help to make their stay fun and safe.

“There is a whole network of community partners who create these various pieces that support the students. There are free meals offered, businesses that are set up to buy sim cards; they can come to the library and use computers,” Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amy Thompson said.

“There are a whole bunch of people who want these students to have a good experience.

“There is a community support group under the umbrella of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce that is here to support the summer work-travel students coming to our region.”

A website is set up to provide important information to the students: https://summerworktravelocmd.com /

St. Mary’s Star the Sea / Holy Savior Church on 17th Street is spearheading a collection of toiletries and other items for students coming to the Ocean City area to help them settle in.

They are collecting boxed, canned or dry food items, first aid products, gift cards, towels, paper goods, soap