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Members of the Silver Spring-based Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington are doing their part to spread good cheer and fellowship in the community by handing out poinsettias to lower-income residents this week.

In the second year of a partnership with the Behnke Nurseries of Beltsville, the nonprofit organization, which helps needy residents in Montgomery County, is handing out 80 of the red plants to mark the holiday season.

"At this time of giving we thought it'd be an appropriate thing to do," said City Councilman Terry Seamens (Ward 4), director of the community services for Takoma Park.

Poinsettias, which are native to Mexico, have long been affiliated with Christmas following a legend that tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift marking the birth of Jesus and offered weeds to the altar instead. Those weeds soon blossomed into poinsettias.

Seamens and others, including his wife and co-director, Joyce Seamens, handed out the festive plants Monday to residents at the Franklin Apartments, 7620 Maple Ave. in Takoma Park.

"It's really nice to see the smile on their faces as we distribute the flowers," he said. "That's what's really rewarding to us."

Adventist Community Services is also seeking volunteers as part of its community outreach program. There are positions open for volunteer coordinators, case managers to interview applicants and determine their needs. Volunteers are also needed for the group's food bagging and donation service. Visitation aides are needed to comfort and assist the elderly, according to a news release.

Those interested in volunteering with ACS should call Executive Director Ron Wylie at 301-585-6556 for more information.

Piney Branch Elementary

pool reopens

The Piney Branch Elementary School pool reopened Tuesday after almost two years following a meeting at the school, 7510 Maple Ave., between Adventist Community Service leaders and Montgomery County education officials who are partnering to run the facility.

The pool closed early in September 2007 after the Silver Spring YMCA decided not to renew its agreement with the county school system to operate the facility.

The pool will now be operated by the Adventist Community Service under contract with the county. The pool has been refilled with water and equipment for the facility was being tested as of the latest update on ACS's local Web site.