In celebration of "Wear Orange Weekend," the county's Moms Demand Action chapter set up shop at the Frederick Festival of the Arts to raise awareness about gun violence.
Susan Smith, a leader of the local chapter, said the organization wanted to have a booth at the arts festival because the large turnout for the event would allow for more outreach.
"It's an opportunity to bring awareness to the national problem of gun violence," Smith said. "Thirty-five thousand people in this country have their lives cut short every year. And there are even more who are injured."
Smith said the organization wanted to put an added emphasis on the lives that have been lost due to suicides. The Moms Demand Action chapter wanted to be sure families knew they were supported and that victims were recognized and honored, she said.
Although the rain likely deterred some folks from attending the festival, the organization's 20 volunteers handed out orange ribbons and "wear orange" stickers while also hosting a photo booth for visitors to take photos in orange gear.
The booth featured a banner created by local students where visitors could post their thoughts on gun violence.
Tara Treacy, one of the chapter's volunteers, helped Sunday in her second event with the chapter. She first volunteered at the Children's Festival, where she assisted at the organization's "Be SMART" booth, which promotes safe gun ownership. The organization uses an acronym to advocate for securing firearms in the house, recognizing the risks of teen suicide, and other responsible gun ownership behaviors.
"It was pretty eye-opening to hear from so many folks about gun ownership," Treacy said. "It was great to hear about how and why they own guns, and the importance of being responsible with their guns."
Treacy began her involvement with the organization shortly after the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. She lived in Tallahassee at the time, and her brother was attending University of Central Florida in Orlando.
"I just felt so helpless when that happened," Treacy said. "So I knew it was time to act."
Melissa Kreidel had a similar experience call her to action. Kreidel, who has lived in Frederick for three years, wore a "MSD strong" shirt Sunday, showing support for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which endured a school shooting Feb. 14 in which 17 people died.
Kreidel's sister was in the building that day.
"I just felt like I had to do something," said Kreidel. "This organization made sense because it gives you tangible things you can do to make a difference."
Susan Smith, a leader of the local chapter, said the organization wanted to have a booth at the arts festival because the large turnout for the event would allow for more outreach.
"It's an opportunity to bring awareness to the national problem of gun violence," Smith said. "Thirty-five thousand people in this country have their lives cut short every year. And there are even more who are injured."
Smith said the organization wanted to put an added emphasis on the lives that have been lost due to suicides. The Moms Demand Action chapter wanted to be sure families knew they were supported and that victims were recognized and honored, she said.
Although the rain likely deterred some folks from attending the festival, the organization's 20 volunteers handed out orange ribbons and "wear orange" stickers while also hosting a photo booth for visitors to take photos in orange gear.
The booth featured a banner created by local students where visitors could post their thoughts on gun violence.
Tara Treacy, one of the chapter's volunteers, helped Sunday in her second event with the chapter. She first volunteered at the Children's Festival, where she assisted at the organization's "Be SMART" booth, which promotes safe gun ownership. The organization uses an acronym to advocate for securing firearms in the house, recognizing the risks of teen suicide, and other responsible gun ownership behaviors.
"It was pretty eye-opening to hear from so many folks about gun ownership," Treacy said. "It was great to hear about how and why they own guns, and the importance of being responsible with their guns."
Treacy began her involvement with the organization shortly after the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. She lived in Tallahassee at the time, and her brother was attending University of Central Florida in Orlando.
"I just felt so helpless when that happened," Treacy said. "So I knew it was time to act."
Melissa Kreidel had a similar experience call her to action. Kreidel, who has lived in Frederick for three years, wore a "MSD strong" shirt Sunday, showing support for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which endured a school shooting Feb. 14 in which 17 people died.
Kreidel's sister was in the building that day.
"I just felt like I had to do something," said Kreidel. "This organization made sense because it gives you tangible things you can do to make a difference."
