“In order to be successful and persevere in anything, it all starts with the right values,” said Baseball Hall of Famer and legendary Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr., addressing a sold out crowd on Saturday, April 25, at the Tidewater Inn. “You do the hard work. You do it with excellence. You are honest, sincere and you give it your all,” he told the more 200 family members and friends of the Benedictine School during the school’s annual spring benefit.
Ripken, whose appearance was sponsored by PNC Bank, wowed the crowd with his intimate and funny recollections of growing up in a baseball family. Earlier in the evening he joined Benedictine’s top supporters for a VIP reception, posing for photos with the kids and adults with special needs who are served by Benedictine.
Over $120,000 in net proceeds was raised. The funds will be used to improve the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities at the highly regarded program in Ridgely.
The weekend started off with a welcome reception on Friday evening where “B” Blossoms Garden Center, a Benedictine enterprise that affords vocational training and employment opportunities, showcased its extensive selection of perennials, annuals and floral arrangements, all available from its Ridgely greenhouse and gift shop. There were about 165 people present.
On Saturday evening the Gold Room and Gold Room Garden at the Tidewater Inn were transformed into a “Starry Night,” the theme for this year’s spring benefit. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Sister Jeannette Murray Award. Benedictine Board President Benjamin “Patrick” Denihan, co-CEO of Denihan Hospitality Group, New York, presented the award to Shirley Benson. Ms. Benson, who joined the Benedictine staff in 1993, has been an inspirational group home counselor who exhibits the values and vision of Sister Jeannette, one of the school’s founding members.
Providing opportunities to live meaningful, productive lives in communities of choice, Benedictine helps children and adults with developmental disabilities reach their greatest potential without regard to race, color, national origin, or age. For more information call 410-634-2112, visit online at benschool.org, or like Benedictine School on Facebook.
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