John and Marge Rozankowski:
A fireman gives much more than dolls
By Melinda Weidman

It started 18 years ago with cabbage patch dolls and firemen.

John Rozankowski, a member of the Baltimore City Fire Department, collected cabbage patch dolls for critically ill children in the foundation’s programs.

When John retired from the Baltimore City Fire Department and readied to relocate, he didn’t know his association in Baltimore with Believe In Tomorrow would continue. But the Rozankowski's move to Ocean City, Md. soon saw them attending a spaghetti dinner fundraiser there. 

The fundraiser was for the foundation’s growing presence in the ocean-side town. Founder and CEO Brian Morrison took the opportunity to make a lasting impression on the former fireman who used to give out dolls.

"Brian is a very convincing young man," laughs John.  "He'll talk the pants off of you," says Marge.

The Rozankowski's became regular volunteers after that fateful spaghetti dinner.

In the early days of Ocean City respite housing, when the foundation didn’t have its own facilities, John and Marge helped secure rented condos and houses for families. 
Families felt the couple’s greatest impact, perhaps, the moment they walked through the door of a respite home. John and Marge gave an enthusiastic welcome with a basket full of beach goodies and a promise to make the family feel at home.
                                                                                                                     
"We left the families alone so they could enjoy their time together, but they had our phone number in case they needed anything," says Marge.

John and Marge are no longer greeters, but their association with Believe In Tomorrow continues. The duo helps every year with fundraising, including: The Sports Show, an auction of sports memorabilia, Beach Bash at Seacrets, a $10,000 raffle and silent auction, and collecting coin boxes, which are located at various Ocean City stores and businesses.

In addition to volunteering at The House By The Sea, John and Marge are active in the Ocean City community, participating as members of: the Polish Americans Club, the Elks Club and the Ladies Auxiliary. The husband and wife also volunteer for Play It Safe, a group that encourages high school seniors vacationing in Ocean City to make good choices and have fun without using drugs or alcohol.

The Rozankowskis view volunteering at Believe In Tomorrow as all about the families.  "The kids and the parents [are] relieved,” says Marge, adding, “It’s peace away from the hospital." 

What John likes best about volunteering? “The joy and peace we bring to the children.”