The Bay County DHS Social Committee has been in existence for over fifteen years.  It is dedicated to improving the morale of the office as well as having an impact on the community.  Current membership includes:  Lori Zawerucha; Ron Lemmon; Terri O'Neil; Vivian Roth; Joe Soehnel; Pam Frey, and Yvonne Swiercz.

The Social Committee has two ongoing fund raising activities in order to support office-wide activities and community outreach programs.  For a $2 donation on non-pay Fridays, staff can dress casually with proceeds going toward staff functions.  50/50 raffles are also held each pay week (Thursdays) with proceeds going to community outreach programs.    Pay week Casual Days (Thursdays) are also held to bolster funds for community outreach programs. 

The committee plans at least one "meal" activity a month for staff, often rotating between a luncheon then a breakfast.  These gatherings are meant to boost morale and provide staff an opportunity to interact with one another.  The meals usually have a theme and the committee is in charge of the main dish, setting up, serving, and cleaning up for the luncheons.  Staff can either bring a dish to pass or pay $5 at the door for the luncheon.  The breakfasts are completely purchased/prepared by the Social Committee.

The Social Committee has two separate accounts, a staff account and a community outreach account.  The staff account is used to purchase meats and other food stuff for luncheons and breakfasts along with paper products and drinks.  The community outreach account is used to make a monthly donation to a local community based organization that directly impacts the same clients that Bay DHS serves.  Past examples included:  Salvation Army; American Red Cross; Do-All Materials Assistance; Walk for Warmth; Project Angel; Habitat for Humanity, and Helen Nickless Volunteer Health Clinic.  Thanks to the generous donations of the Bay DHS staff, monthly donations of $500 have been contributed to such organizations as listed above each month since December, 2009.

Recent Community Outreach Donations
(Click Organization Name for their website.)