Easton Lions Club Donates $1,000 to Local DARE Program

Talbot County, MD - The Talbot County Sheriff's Office received a generous boost this week from a longtime community partner. On August 18, 2026, the Easton Lions Club presented the office with a $1,000 donation to support the DARE program in local schools.

Charitable Foundation Chairman Mel Newell and Club President Jim DePrima delivered the donation in person. Sheriff Joe Gamble accepted the gift on behalf of the office, joined by the three deputies who lead the program.

The funds will go toward purchasing required workbooks for students enrolled in DARE. Donations like this one, whether from clubs or private citizens, also help provide extra rewards for students who complete the program.

DFC Ryan Andrew, DFC John Coleman and DFC Emily LeCompte teach the DARE curriculum. Together, they bring the program to every public and private school in Talbot County.

DARE stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It is a classroom program led by police officers that teaches kids from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and make good choices around drugs and violence.

The program has grown under Sheriff Gamble's leadership. He has increased the number of certified DARE instructors in the office to three deputies, giving the program more reach across the county's schools.

Sheriff Gamble spoke about why the program matters to him personally. He said, "Families build the foundation of our youth, and I see DARE as a corner stone in that development."

Support from groups like the Easton Lions Club helps make sure the program can keep going strong. It also shows how local organizations and law enforcement can work together for the benefit of the community's children.

Talbot County families interested in learning more about the DARE program can reach out to the Sheriff's Office directly. Community donations continue to play a key role in giving local students the tools they need for a safe and healthy future.