The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-­‐Shore, a field-­‐of-­‐interest endowment with the Mid-­‐Shore Community Foundation, is now accepting grant proposals from IRS-­‐designated non-­‐profit organizations for programs addressing the needs of women and girls throughout the five-­‐county region. Completed applications are due in the Fund’s office by November 1, 2017. Grant recipients will be announced at the Fund’s annual spring luncheon in April 2018.

This year, the Fund plans to focus on the opioid epidemic plaguing the Mid-­‐ Shore. Qualified organizations whose programs relate to substance abuse issues at every level as they affect women and girls are encouraged to apply for a grant.

Since its founding in 2002, the Women & Girls Fund has awarded more than $507,000 to 82 non-­‐profit organizations in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, and Talbot counties. The grant application and detailed guidelines are available at www.womenandgirlsfund.org. For information, call the office at 410-­‐770-­‐8347.

Women golfers—from beginners to veterans—are welcome to pick up tips, enjoy lunch and play in a 9-hole tournament at the Women & Girls Fund’s 6th Annual Golf Day at the Talbot Country Club on Tuesday, September 12.

The Women & Girls Fund will use the proceeds to support its annual grant-making efforts for the benefit of non-profit organizations whose programs serve women, girls, and families in the five Mid-Shore counties. Since 2003, the Fund’s grants have totaled $507,022 in support of programs at 82 local non-profit organizations.

“The Clinic and 9-hole tournament is a really fun way to support the Women & Girls Fund,” said Alice Ryan, Women & Girls Fund founder and event co-chair with board member Susie Dillon. “The golf day has turned into a wonderful event, thanks to the generosity of the golf pros who help improve the players’ games, the great field of women, and our great sponsors.”

During the morning clinics, Head Golf Professional Marc Kimminau and his assistant pros at Talbot Country Club will offer tips and techniques for putting, chipping, driving and getting out of sand traps. The clinics also include a popular session on the rules of the game.

“The rules clinic is an important part of the event,” said Talli Oxnam, Women & Girls Fund board president. “I’ve been amazed to learn rules beyond basic play that have really helped my game.”

After lunch, the women will break into foursomes for a 9-hole “scramble” where all players will hit from their foursome’s “best ball” position, from tee to green. That way, even novices have a chance to contribute to the team’s cumulative low score.

“Women love this event because it works as well for new golfers as it does for really good players,” said Beth Spurry, former Women & Girls Fund board president and avid golfer. “And the best part is that the sponsors and players all know they’re helping us improve lives for the Mid-Shore’s women and girls, and that means we’re building stronger communities. It’s the best win-win golf day I can imagine.”

The fee for the full day, including the clinic, luncheon, golf cart, and 9 holes of golf, is $150. The cost of lunch, a cart, and the 9-hole tournament is $100.

For further information and to sign up for the “Golf Day,” call 410-770-8347, e-mail [email protected], or go to www.womenandgirlsfund.org.

Representatives from sixteen Mid-Shore non-profits will accept checks totaling $43,259 at the Women & Girls Fund’s 15th Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon on April 24. That will bring the Fund’s overall grant total to $507,021.51, awarded to 82 organizations whose programs benefit women and girls in one or more of the five Mid-Shore counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot.

The grants will go to 2 new applicants and 14 non-profits that have been awarded Women & Girls Fund grants at least once before.

New this year are Compass Regional Hospice and Rising Above Disease (RAD). Repeat recipients are Chesapeake College Foundation, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Destined to Rise, Echo Hill Outdoor Leadership School, For All Seasons, Horizons Kent and Queen Anne’s, Imagination Library of Talbot County, Ladies of Nia, Partners in Care, Rebuilding Together – Caroline County, Rebuilding Together – Kent County, Talbot Mentors, Talbot Partnership for Alcohol and Drug Awareness, and Tilghman Area Youth Association.

“The programs offered by our grant recipients address serious, wide-ranging needs facing women and girls, from the oldest to the youngest”, said Emily Lynn, board member and Grants Committee co-chair along with Beth Spurry and Susan Wilford. “From literacy and education to emergency services to social engagement and critical home repairs, they have the potential to make significant differences in our community and we are proud to be able to support their efforts.”

In addition to handing out grant checks at the luncheon, the Fund will present two annual awards. The “Women & Girls Fund Award” for 2017 will be presented to Ellen Rajacich of Easton. Since 1959, Mrs. Rajacich has been a tireless volunteer fitness instructor at the YMCA of the Chesapeake. Always with a smile on her face, she has taught several generations of women – and more than a few men – to get fit, whether on an exercise mat or in the swimming pool. Her dedication, integrity, compassion, and generosity of time and talent demonstrate her commitment to improving the lives and opportunities for women, girls, and families, the hallmark of this annual award.

Previous recipients of this award are the following women of distinction: the late Lois S. Duffey, Harriet S. Critchlow, Sandra W. King, Maria Boria, M.D., Sister Patricia Gamgort, OSB, Tracy Davenport, Sandra Redd, Sara Jane Davidson, The Hon. Karen Murphy Jensen, Kathleen Francis, Maureen Jacobs, Janet Pfeffer, Joy Price, Nancy Wilson, Mary Lou McAllister, Diana Mautz, and Kathy Weaver.

The 2017 recipient of the Sheryl V. Kerr Award is Cheryl Hughes of Hurlock, founder of “Saving Second Base”, an annual breast cancer fundraiser in Cambridge. With the intention of doing something to support friends with breast cancer diagnoses, Mrs. Hughes put her determination and long list of friends to work and created a hugely popular and successful fundraiser. Since 2011, the one-day event has raised more than $150,000 for local breast cancer-related agencies. Her efforts exemplify our mission – the “power of pooled resources” – in working together to improve the lives of women and children in our community.

Previous recipients of the Sheryl V. Kerr Award are Maria D’Arcy and Estela Ramirez.

“The Women & Girls Fund Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon brings together an extraordinary group of supporters and those we support through our grant programs. It celebrates the importance of improving the lives of women and girls every day on the MidShore. We are excited each year to showcase those organizations and community leaders that truly make a difference!,” said board president Talli Oxnam.

The Women & Girls Fund Spring Luncheon will be held on Monday, April 24, 11:30am, at The Milestone in Easton. Ticket price is $50 and the event is open to the public. Reservation deadline is April 14. For more information about the luncheon and the Women & Girls Fund, call 410-770-8347, email [email protected] or visit www.womenandgirlsfund.org.

The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-­Shore has announced that nominations are being accepted through February 15th for the annual Women & Girls Fund Award. The award was established in 2004 to honor a community member from Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot or Dorchester counties, who has made outstanding professional or personal contributions towards addressing the needs of local women and girls.

The award will be presented at the Fund’s 15th Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon on April 24, 2017, at The Milestone in Easton. Candidates for this award should have demonstrated leadership, vision, integrity, compassion, cooperation and generosity of time and talent their efforts to improve the lives and opportunities of women and girls.

The Fund’s Award last year went to Kathy Weaver of Trappe, who has managed the Food Pantry at St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) for more than 15 years. According to Alex Handy, president of SVDP, “Kathy Weaver is the heart and soul of St. Vincent de Paul.”

Thanks in large part to Kathy’s dedicated leadership and volunteer spirit, the Food Pantry has grown from helping 20-30 families a week to 180 families – last year giving out 9,500 bags of food. In its expanded location on Canvasback Drive in Easton, SVDP, whose mission is to serve the needs of the poor, has also added a thrift shop and provides financial assistance to those in crisis.

The late Lois Duffy of Centreville and Chestertown was the recipient of the first award. In succeeding years, the Women & Girls Fund has honored: Harriet Critchlow; Sandra King; Dr. Maria Boria; Sister Patricia Gamgort, O.S.B.; Tracy Davenport; Sandra Redd; Sara Jane Davidson; The Hon. Karen Murphy Jensen; the 5 founders of For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis Center: Kathleen Francis, Maureen Jacobs, Janet Pfeffer, Joy Price, and Nancy Wilson; Mary Lou McAllister; and Diana Mautz.

Nomination forms are available for download from Women & Girls Fund Award website: www.womenandgirlsfund.org. For further information, call 410­‐770­‐8347.