Federal funding for local projects continues to shrink while the national debt continues to soar into the trillions. Meanwhile, inflation makes it harder and harder for people to make ends meet.
To help address needs that don’t go away on their own, volunteer organizations increasingly rely on donations from businesses and individuals in their local communities.
Bay Hundred Community Volunteers are a good example.
The Talbot County group provides home repairs and wheelchair ramps for people struggling financially. Recently two businesses made significant donations to the Bay Hundred group to help them purchase the ramp and home improvement materials needed to do their charitable work.
The Fred Frederick Family Foundation donated $5,000 to the volunteers in May while the St. Michaels Market contributed 5 percent of its sales on Saturday, June 6 to the cause.
Jeff Frederick, president and general manager of Fred Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram in Easton, summed up the formula that enables such donations: “When people support local businesses, local businesses are able to support local charities.”
The Bay Hundred Community Volunteers completed 25 home improvement projects in 2025 and installed 30 wheelchair ramps at a cost of $110,000. The group has no paid staff. The operating budget for 2026 is $170,900 as requests for ramps and home improvements continue to grow.
One Response
Unless you’ve seen the difference that placing a safe ramp in the home of someone literally trapped by their disability, you have no idea how life-changing the service that Bill Shrieves and his volunteers provides really is.