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June 24, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

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United Way of Kent County Achieves 2019-2020 Goal

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United Way of Kent County (UWKC) has announced that it has achieved its 2019-2020 fund-raising goal of $235,000.

“We sincerely thank all of our donors. This community is so generous. We are so pleased,” said Beth Everett, Executive Director. “We were allowed to campaign on the campus of Washington College, and President Kurt Landgraf encouraged all employees to give and personally matched those donations. We are indebted to him for his wholehearted support, as well as to seven Kent County businesses that kindly sponsored workplace campaigns. We also appreciate the matching and in-kind contributions, and individual and corporate donations.” she added.

She noted that the organization has made progress in increasing donations resulting from workplace campaigns and has welcomed new businesses into the program. “We are also very lucky in Kent County to have CEOs who have supported the United Way of Kent County.  It really helps when employees know the CEO is supportive of the United Way.”

Bill Harr, this year’s Fundraising Chair, noted that “the Comprehensive Needs Assessment initiated in 2017 by the UWKC brought the County and service providers some needed information on our shortfalls in services here on the Shore.  As a result, the County has agreed to hire an employee to oversee the Housing and Transportation initiative.  Successes like these inspire donors to help our future campaigns.”

United Way of Kent County strives to improve our community by building partnerships and bringing together diverse stakeholders from 28 agencies to focus on three impact areas: Health, Education, and Financial Stability. The program began in 1957 with a goal of $45,000 and six Member Agencies.The 2020-2021 campaign begins September 1, with a goal of $245,000. “Each year we look at what we were able to raise the year before and we raise it a little,” said Everett.

“Everything’s different this year,’ she added. “We’ve got some real challenges.”

“We receive about 30% of our donations through direct payroll deduction at most Kent County businesses, including Washington College.  As a result of COVID-19, many of those businesses are going to be challenged, and some of them will not make it.  There will be layoffs at some employers, and some companies will close,” noted Marty Knight, Board President.

According to Knight, “On the grant side, many of the organizations we help fund are forced to change the way they operate.  And the community services they offer will be in higher demand.  We are expecting our requests for funding to increase and the workplace contributions to decrease. In the meantime, United Way has been able to provide some emergency grants to those organizations responding directly to the COVID-19 crisis.”

The annual report will be completed in September and distributed to every household in Kent County. Donations may be made at any time via the website unitedwayofkentcounty,org or by mail to United Way of Kent County, P.O. Box 594, Chestertown, MD 21620.

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United Way Elects New Board Members

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United Way of Kent County has announced the addition of three new Board members for 2020-2021.

Rebecca Murphy is the Principal of RCM Strategic Consulting, with over 25 years of experience in government, community development, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy focused on economic development and public-private partnerships. She has recently relocated from the Baltimore area to Chestertown.

DeLia Shoge worked in secondary education for seven years in Montgomery, Talbot, and Anne Arundel Counties, after earning a Master’s degree in Leadership in Teaching- Special Education. She will join the faculty of Kent County Middle School in the Fall.

Muriel Cole, a local resident for 24 years, has a Master’s degree in Governmental Administration from George Washington University and is an advocate for seniors. She co-chairs the Kent County Commission on Aging and is a Past-President of Homeports.

They join current Board members Martin Knight, President; Sarah Feyerherm, Vice-President; Glenn Wilson, Past-President; Marilyn Parks, Secretary; Elizabeth Gross, Acting Treasurer; William Harr, Creg Fleetwood, Patricia Dowling, Deirdre LaMotte, Edward Silver, Alison Libshitz, Jean Austin, Sabina Minney, and Nerina Fleegle. Every effort is made to maintain a board that reflects the county’s racial, ethnic, age, religious, and geographic diversity.

The United Way of Kent County strives to improve our community by building partnerships and bringing together diverse stakeholders from 27 agencies to focus on three Impact Areas: Health, Education, and Financial Stability.

The annual fund-raising campaign begins September 1. Donations may be made at any time via the website: unitedwayofkentcounty.org or by mail to United Way of Kent County, P.O. Box 594, Chestertown, MD 21620.

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United Way of Kent County Establishes COVID Emergency Fund

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United Way of Kent County has established a COVID 19 Emergency Fund. Agencies responding to pandemic-related community needs are encouraged to apply.

Organizations may address a brief email to the United Way Executive Director ([email protected]) describing the emergency need, the agency’s proposed response, and how it will assist Kent County residents. A brief explanation of the amount of funds requested is required.

The opportunity is made possible by using United Way’s established Emergency Fund, augmented by two designated grants: from TRUIST Foundation and the Eastman Foundation. Recipients to date include Community Mediation Upper Shore, the Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence, the Samaritan Group, the Social Action Committee for Racial Justice, and Upper Shore Aging (Meals-on-Wheels) and Farmer’s Wagon.

Priority is given to basic needs of food, housing, and continuation of essential services. Funds will not be provided to replace fund-raising revenue lost due to cancellation of agency events. Priority is given to United Way of Kent County agencies and community coalitions that include one or more Kent County agencies. Requests up to $1,000 receive priority response. Larger requests are considered, but require additional review.

United Way’s annual fund-raising campaign begins September 1. Donations may be made at any time via the website unitedwayofkentcounty,org or by mail to United Way of Kent County, P.O. Box 594, Chestertown, MD 21620.

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United Way of Kent County Planned Giving Kick-Off

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United Way of Kent County (UWKC) is pleased to announce the establishment of an Endowment Fund with a goal of $2,500,000.  While they have been successful in our annual fundraising over their 62 year history of helping Kent County residents, the Board would like to supplement this with sustaining gifts. When achieved, the annual distributions from this endowment will both offset their operating expenses and provide greater allocations to their Member Agencies.

Glenn L. Wilson, UWKC President, states:

“Through major gifts, bequests, and charitable gift annuities, the generous people in Kent County can help us do even more to assist our many neighbors in need here. Our recent Community Needs Assessment points to Affordable Transportation and Generational Poverty need gaps that we would like to address beyond what we are doing today.  A Planned Gift to United Way of Kent County allows donors to perpetuate their support to the community, and to benefit generations to come.”

If you would like to learn more about UWKCs endowment options, please visit their website (www.unitedwayofkentcounty.org) or call Beth Everett, Executive Director (410-778-3195).

United Way of Kent County is a 501(c)3nonprofit organization in good standing with the State of Maryland.

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United Way of Kent County New Board Members

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The United Way of Kent County is delighted to welcome two new Directors for 2019, Sabina Minney and Elizabeth Gross. Ms. Minney’s career as an economist and financial analyst has taken her around the globe, and she brings her world perspective to Kent County. Sabina is a New York native and a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and the Yale School of Management.  She arrived in Chestertown at the end of 2014 and has recently been tutoring and substitute teaching at Kent County public and private schools. This year she became a Trustee of the Kent County Public Library.

Sabina Minney and Elizabeth Gross

Ms. Gross is a familiar figure in Chestertown, having served on the Chestertown Town Council from 2014-2018.  Liz, an oceanographer, spent her career as Executive Director of the international non-profit SCOR (Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research). Since then, she has held many volunteer positions in the community including Treasurer for the National Music Festival, Good Neighbor Fund of the CVMA, and the Garfield Center. Liz was also involved in Foodlink, a food rescue program across the State of Maryland.

The United Way of Kent County is excited to accept these two fine citizens to its Board of Directors and looks forward to working with then in the upcoming Annual Fundraising Campaign this fall.

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Letter to Editor: United Way Thanks Peoples Bank and The Kitchen

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Last Tuesday evening, a Guest Chef Dinner benefitting United Way of Kent County was held at The Kitchen at the Imperial in Chestertown. The main course was paella, which is the specialty of Guest Chef Ralph Dowling, President of The Peoples Bank. The Bank donated all the food for this event, as well as Mr. Dowling’s time, and that of his “sous chef,’ David Bowman.

Steve Quigg, owner and Chef of the Kitchen, opened his restaurant for the evening for us and paid his staff for the evening. Over 100 people enjoyed their paella and several side dishes, which were prepared by Steve and his son Connor. Ticket sales were received as donations directly by United Way of Kent County, and this event raised over to $5,000 which will be used to support our 24 Member Agencies who work to improve the Health, Education and Financial Stability of individuals and Families in Kent County.

We would like to thank all the folks who came to share this special meal with us and all those at the Peoples Bank and the Kitchen who made it possible.

Sincerely,

Glenn Wilson
President of United Way of Kent County

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United Way Campaign Kickoff

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United Way of Kent County has kicked off its 2017-2018 fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $210,000 to help local agencies provide an array of critical services to this community.  Your donations directly help out with emergency food and shelter, medical services, crisis intervention, youth character, educational enrichment and significant programs for self-sufficiency.

A United Way brochure and contribution envelope are being mailed to all Kent County postal patrons and you should receive yours soon.  It’s my hope that you’ll consider making a donation, regardless of how large or how small, to make sure our neighbors receive the assistance they need.

We appreciate the 25 agencies that use the donated funds to make a difference in our community.  We appreciate your donations in the past and hope that you can continue to support United Way in the future.  Along with your donation, countless volunteers are working hard to make a difference in Kent County.  We can’t thank you enough for your support.

Thank you.

Bob Grace
Honorary Campaign Chairman

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United Way Adds Two New Directors

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New United Way Board members Ed Silver and Thad Bench II

United Way of Kent County is delighted to welcome two new board members in 2017.

Ed Silver, a Kent County resident and educator for 27 years, has worked as a teacher, principal, and central office administrator for Kent County Public Schools.  In 1996, he was named the Maryland Teacher of the Year and in 1997 a National Milken Educator.  He was principal of four Kent County schools before moving to the central office. He spent two years as Supervisor of Educational Services, then moved to his current position in Human Resources in 2013.  A graduate of Penn State University in Community Development, Ed earned a Master’s in Education from East Stroudsburg University and has completed his doctoral classes at Wilmington University.  Ed and his wife Patty have raised five daughters in Kent County. Ed says, “As a 28 year educator in Kent County, I have been amazed by the number of agencies doing great work serving the residents of the county.  I wanted to serve on the United Way board to help highlight and encourage the many tremendous ways neighbors are caring for neighbors in Kent County.”

Thad Bench II holds a business development role at Benchworks with a focus on both pharmaceutical and middle market accounts.  Prior to joining Benchworks, Thad enjoyed a successful stint in commercial real estate while at Hyatt Commercial in Annapolis, MD. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and was part of the nationally ranked St. Mary’s sailing team.  He is a lifelong resident of Kent County, newlywed, and father of a baby girl.

United Way Board President Glenn Wilson commented, “Our Board is delighted to have Ed and Thad join us. They bring important perspectives to the good work that we do for our Community.”

United Way of Kent County identifies the human services needs of the community, promotes Member Agency programs to increase public understanding and financial and volunteer support, solicits funds for these agencies by conducting an annual fund-raising campaign, and allocates these funds, giving emphasis to those agency programs prioritized by the Board of Directors.  For more information on the work of United Way, or to donate or volunteer, call 410-778-3195 or go to the United Way website.

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United Way Campaign Update

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Letter to the Editor:

As we head into the last month of our 60th annual campaign for United Way of Kent County, our “giving thermometer” is just shy of 95% of our $210,000 goal.  The volunteer board members of UWKC, and especially the 24 member agencies which comprise our family of charities, are sincerely grateful to our Kent County friends and neighbors who have brought us this far in our appeal.  Even more importantly, the hundreds of Kent County families and individuals whose lives – through your contributions – have been enriched with better health, greater financial stability, and better education, are truly appreciative of this community’s generosity and caring spirit.

The critical needs of Kent County’s less fortunate will not be met even if we attain 100% of our goal, but each and every contribution, large or small, goes a long way toward improving the quality of life for all.

The success of this campaign and our member agencies’ efforts to better the lives of Kent County’s most needy rely on the generosity of us all, and we urge our Kent County neighbors to help us achieve our goal.

Sincere Thanks,

Glenn Wilson

President, United Way of Kent County

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United Way Visits Camp Fairlee

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United Way of Kent County board member Patti Dowling and Executive Director Beth Everett (back) visit Camp Fairlee during the first week of summer camp there. Robbie, a Kent County resident and Camp Fairlee Camper, is pictured here with his one-on-one counselor, Alanah.

United Way of Kent County funds non-profits like Easterseals Camp Fairlee all over Kent County so that Kent County residents like Robbie with special needs can attend camp in the summer, weekend Respite sessions throughout the year and even Travel trips to other states.

For more information on United Way of Kent County or any of its Member Agencies, call 410-778-3195 or go to www.unitedwayofkentcounty.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.