Mid-Shore Community Foundation honored David Ricks (center), president of Men for Change, with the J. McKenny Willis Jr. Award, at the MSCF Annual Awards Breakfast. Pictured are Savannah Winston, Men for Change board member; W.W. “Buck” Duncan, president of Mid-Shore Community Foundation; Betty Jarman, Men for Change media specialist and board member; and Charmaine Smith, Men for Change mentor.
Mid-Shore Community Foundation honored people making a difference across the region during its 2025 Annual Awards Breakfast Dec. 5 at the Tidewater Inn.
The event recognizes nonprofit leadership, volunteer service and community impact in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties.
“Our mission is quality of life. The people we honor today are making that mission real in their communities,” said MSCF President W.W. “Buck” Duncan, who opened the program and presented the awards.
The J. McKenny Willis Jr. Award, which recognizes nonprofit organizations for outstanding service and honors volunteers instrumental to their success, was presented to:
- Kate Gray, board president of Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s. Horizons operates a six-week summer enrichment program that provides individualized instruction in reading and math, meals, water safety education and field trips. Programming includes learning environments at Gunston School and Washington College. Horizons also provides daily transportation to and from the program.
- David Ricks, founder and president of Men for Change Inc. The organization serves youth ages 5 to 15 in the Federalsburg area through mentoring, meals, community service projects, tours and college visits.
Special Recognition Awards, which honor notable achievements in the Mid-Shore region, were presented to:
- Lora Robbins of Day Care Inc., recognized for providing child care services to approximately 80 children daily, with a waiting list of about 100. The organization serves families in Caroline, Kent and Queen Anne’s counties.
- Rev. Pam Bockart of the Federalsburg Activities Center, honored for her leadership in transforming a former building into a multipurpose community space offering youth programming, civic gatherings, Bible study and services for residents of all ages.
During his report, Duncan said the foundation awarded $15 million in grants and scholarships during the past fiscal year — an all-time high — and received $35 million in contributions. Total foundation assets now stand at about $175 million.
The program also included remarks from Kenneth Kozel, president and CEO of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, who provided an update on the new Regional Medical Center under construction in Talbot County. The 390,000-square-foot facility will serve the Mid-Shore and is scheduled to open in late summer or early fall 2028.
About Mid-Shore Community Foundation
Established in 1992, Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties. The Foundation works with donors to establish funds for the region — funds that are distributed as grants and scholarships, provides training programs and endowment management services to area nonprofits, and supports start‐up charities and local charitable projects through fiscal sponsorship. MSCF is located in the historic Bullitt House in downtown Easton
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