"Everybody is thin, struggling to make a living," she said.

The horrors Ms. Snyder's friends have endured are common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she said.

Ms. Snyder, a Frederick resident, lived in the Central African nation (formerly known as Zaire) in the 1980s and 1990s before violence escalated.

She remembers peaceful villages where people would call out greetings to one another each morning.

"It seemed so much safer than here," she said.

The country, however, was on the brink of collapse due to corruption and dictatorship. In 1998, war began. The conflict has its roots in ethnic cleansing and battles for the nation's mineral wealth.

In 2004, Ms. Snyder returned to the DRC and saw how her friends have suffered. Now she and several Frederick women are working to alleviate the misery of women in the DRC.

The Frederick women are holding an awareness event tonight and are organizing a 5K run in April to raise money to send to Congolese women.

The money will be funneled through Women for Women International, a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides financial assistance, job skills training and emotional support to women in nine war-torn regions.

Women for Women won a 2006 Conrad N. Hilton humanitarian prize for its work to end human suffering.

"I really think there is a power in women working together," said Gina Donnelly, a Frederick resident and co-organizer of the awareness event.

A gab session this past summer catapulted the Frederick women to begin their mission, she said.

"We were sitting around ... talking about a combination of things -- marriage, strong women in the community, Peace Corps, running," Ms. Donnelly said.

Most of the women enjoy running together and they began chatting about how they could use running to help solve social problems.

"We wanted to run for a reason," Ms. Donnelly said.

Their goal became clear when Ms. Snyder spoke about suffering in the DRC, she said.

More than 3 million people have died during the past eight years, according to the Web site of the International Crisis Group, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent and resolve deadly clashes.

Nine African nations were involved in what has been called the most deadly conflict in the world since World War II. Although the war officially ended in 2003, violence continues in several regions.

Mortality studies indicate about 1,000 people die each day from war-related causes, such as violence, disease and malnutrition, according to the International Crisis Group. Rampant government corruption allows members of the national army and rebel groups to continue abusing civilians. Rape and sexual slavery are daily realities for women and children.

"When you hear the stories, you can't close your eyes and go shopping," Ms. Snyder said.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for this week. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.