More than 200 guests attended the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s November 17th celebration – the annual event that honors award recipients and celebrates the good work of the community.
This year’s Annual Report to the Community and Awards Luncheon was held at the Milestone in Easton, Maryland. The Awards Luncheon was attended by not-for-profit representatives, community leaders, volunteers and elected officials.
The luncheon opened with remarks from Moorhead Vermilye, one of the founders of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation and the current Chair of the Board of Directors. Vermilye noted, “Twenty-five years ago I had the good fortune to be involved in the founding of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Thanks to a generous bequest of $236,000 from Colonel Edgar Linthicum and his wife Catherine in 1992, a regional community foundation was created to serve the five Mid-Shore counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. From that initial investment, the Foundation now has more than $70 million in assets.” In FY 2017, the Foundation awarded over $3.4 million in grants and related charitable expenses, of which over $550,000 was awarded to Mid-Shore students for scholarships.
This year’s guest speaker was Dr. James Wilson, a corporate and nonprofit consultant who works with clients on strategic planning and leadership. Wilson spoke about the importance of nonprofit support services and nonprofit governance.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that help enhance the quality of life in the Mid-Shore Region. This year’s awards were presented as follows.
The Town Watch Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service in the Mid-Shore Community, was presented to Molly Judge, one of the visionaries and founders of Radcliffe Creek School in Chestertown, a k-8 school for bright children who learn differently. Today’s students travel from seven different counties in Maryland and Delaware to attend Radcliffe. Molly Judge and Radcliffe Creek School have changed the educational landscape in the mid shore and beyond.
The J. McKenny Willis, Jr. Award was given to Tilghman Area Youth Association (TAYA) for outstanding community service and was presented to Ginny Cornwell. As the founder of TAYA, Ginny provided the personal resources of time, talent and monetary support for the Tilghman Area Youth Programs. Ginny has built a fiscally sound, exciting and educational organization that has very positive effects on the Bay Hundred Youth, their families and the community at large.
Special Recognition was awarded to Rebuilding Together Caroline County and was presented to Patrice Morrison and Homan Hallock. Rebuilding Together volunteers provide free home repair services to low-income Caroline County homeowners who are facing necessary but unaffordable home repairs. The organization has completed 204 projects for Caroline County residents since its founding 10 years ago.
Special Recognition was awarded to Dorchester County native Bill Jarmon for his notable achievements in the Mid-Shore Community. Mr. Jarmon is a retired educator and was one of the most influential volunteers in the years-long effort to make the Harriett Tubman Underground Railroad National Park a reality. Bill has touched many organizations in positive ways and is active with the Dorchester Historical Society, Dorchester NAACP, the Mace’s Lane Alumni Association, among others.
The final award was given in memory of Herbert Andrew and was presented to his wife, Della. The Mid-Shore Community lost an extraordinary community leader this past year with the tragic death of Herb Andrew. Herb was a quintessential Eastern-Shore-Man, a lifelong farmer and he was constantly giving back to the community through service on numerous boards, commissions, and organizations. Herb Andrew will be sorely missed in the community.
In addition to honoring the award recipients, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation presented nearly $380,000.00 in grant funding to not-for-profit organizations serving the residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties.
The event was generously sponsored by: The Peoples Bank; CBIZ MHM, LLC; Nagel Farm Service, Inc.; Avon-Dixon Insurance Agency; Shore United Bank; Wye Financial & Trust; The Hill Group at Morgan Stanley; James M. Vermilye, CFP; Robert W. Baird & Co.; 1880 Bank; TGM Group, LLC; Valliant & Associates, LLC; Preston Automotive Group and The Wilford Nagel Group at Morgan Stanley.
“This annual event ratifies the work of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation and is evidence to the generosity and good will that exist throughout the Community,” says Buck Duncan, Mid-Shore Community Foundation President. “We see continued expansion of permanent funds, new partnerships with area nonprofits and a host of new community initiatives under the sponsorship of the Foundation. The work of the Foundation is truly a collaborative effort. Together with the exceptional work of our staff, our donors and the volunteers who help ensure the success of the Foundation, your Community Foundation will continue to expand its charitable support throughout the Mid-Shore.”
Established in 1992, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that connects private resources with public needs in order to enhance the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region – Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Inc., The Bullitt House, 102 East Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601, 410.820.8175, MSCF.ORG.
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