Mid-Shore Community Foundation announced the election of five new members to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2023.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Joe Anthony, JoAnn Asparagus-Murray, Linda Friday, Kirk Helfenbein, and Otis Sampson” said Buck Duncan, Mid-Shore Community Foundation President. “We also thank Kathy Deoudes, Clem Hathaway, and Fil Morrison, who are completing their terms. We are extremely fortunate to have talented and supportive volunteers.”

Officers and directors for FY24 are Moorhead Vermilye, Chair; Alice Ryan, Vice Chair; David Nagel, Treasurer; Andy Meehan, Secretary; Joe Anthony, JoAnn Asparagus-Murray, Heather Bacher, Kevin Cashen, Bill Christopher, Stephanie Folarin, George Fox, Linda Friday, Aaron Gabrielian, Heather Guerieri, Kirk Helfenbein, Joe Holt, Ruth Ann Jones, Charles Lerner, John Lewis, Becky Loukides, Harriette Lowery, Bryan Matthews, Greg Meekins, Nancy Mugele, Peggy Rennels, Jenny Rhodes, Steve Rideout, Tolbert Rowe, Otis Sampson, Brett Summers, and Tracy Tyler.

Joe Anthony (Talbot County) – Anthony is an experienced CPA; he recently retired from Anthony, Walter & Duncan in Easton, Maryland. He is actively involved in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for the United Fund of Talbot County, serving as Treasurer for CASA of Talbot County, and serving as Chair for the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Investment Committee. Joe is a returning Director, having served 2009-2015 and 2016-2022.

JoAnn Asparagus-Murray (Talbot County) – Asparagus-Murray attended Robert R. Moton High School and graduated from William Penn High School for Girls in Philadelphia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Lincoln University, a Master’s Degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Jurist Doctorate from Duquesne University. Early in her legal career she worked at the Legal Aide Bureau, and at the Office of the Public Defender for Caroline County, before practicing privately. She retired as the Family Law Magistrate for Caroline County, a position she held for 20 years. JoAnn is actively involved in the community; she volunteers for Talbot Interfaith Shelter, is a member of the Executive Board of the NAACP, and serves as Vice President of the Talbot County Education Foundation. In 2020, she was recognized with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Town Watch Award.

Linda Friday (Queen Anne’s County)–Friday, who has lived and worked on the Eastern Shore for almost 48 years, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from both the financial and business worlds. Linda worked in the banking industry for more than 25 years before joining the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce in 2001, where she currently serves as President. Linda is actively involved in the community; she served as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on CTE and Workforce Development and serves as President of the Chesapeake College Foundation Board. Linda lives in Denton with her husband Bob, they have two adult children, and four grandchildren. In 2022, she received the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Special Recognition Award.

Kirk Helfenbein (Kent County) – Helfenbein is President and CEO of Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home. He received his Bachelor of Science in business from Towson University and his Mortuary Science Degree from the Community College of Baltimore County. Kirk serves on the Board of Directors for Compass Regional Hospice and is a member of the Rock Hall Lions Club, Chestertown Elks Lodge, Chestertown Rotary Club, Ducks Unlimited, Chester River Yacht and Country Club, and the Kent County Chamber of Commerce. Kirk is a returning Director, having served 2014-2017.

Otis Sampson (Talbot County) – Sampson, a Talbot County native and graduate of Robert R. Moton High School, attended the Radio School of Announcing and Speech in New York City and the Radio Engineering Institute of Virginia. Early in his career he worked in radio broadcasting, as well as the newspaper business. He also worked for Black & Decker and Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. Throughout his life he has served the community, including serving as a special advocate for CASA of Talbot County, as a member of the Town of Easton’s Affordable Housing Board, as President of the Talbot County NAACP, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Service Center and Talbot County Commission on Aging. He currently serves as a member of the Talbot County Board of Education.

About Mid-Shore Community Foundation

Established in 1992, Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity with a mission to enhance the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. A trusted partner to both donors and nonprofit organizations, the Foundation manages 525 charitable funds and $115 million in charitable assets for the local community. Since its founding, the Foundation has received over $130 million in contributions and has awarded more than $60.2 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, visit https://www.mscf.org.

The Caroline Foundation, in partnership with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, invites organizations that provide medical and/or health-related services to residents of Caroline County, Maryland to apply for FY2024 grant funding.

Applicants must be nonprofit corporations with IRS tax-exempt status, or government-related entities. Applications are online at https://www.mscf.org/caroline-foundation. The deadline for submission is July 1, 2023.

Grant decisions and distributions will be made in October 2023. The Caroline Foundation retains the right to accept or reject applications, suggest changes, and support grant requests in full, in part, or not at all.

Organizations that would like additional information about The Caroline Foundation’s grants process should contact Robbin Hill at Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 410-820-8175 x103 or [email protected].

Mid-Shore Community Foundation held its Annual Report to the Community and Awards Luncheon on Friday, December 2, at the Tidewater Inn in downtown Easton, Maryland.

Community leaders from Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties attended the event, which celebrates individuals and organizations for their contributions to enhance the quality of life on the Mid-Shore.

Buck Duncan, President of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, and Moorhead Vermilye, Mid-Shore Community Foundation Founder and Board Chair, welcomed the group and presented the nine awards.

“This year’s award recipients have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” said Duncan. “We are honored to recognize and support their important work.”

The Town Watch Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service in the Mid-Shore Community, was presented to Sue Simmons and Maryann Ruehrmund.  Sue serves as the Director of Caroline County Recreation and Parks, where she coaches youth sports and is actively engaged in the community. Maryann serves as the Executive Director of the Chester River Health Foundation, where she has been pivotal in the transition and advancement of the Hospital.

The J. McKenny Willis, Jr. Award, which recognizes nonprofit organizations for providing outstanding service to the community, was presented to Brennan Starkey, Board Chair of ShoreRivers, an organization which protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education, and to Langley Shook, Board Chair of the St. Michaels Community Center, which serves, empowers, and connects the local community.

Five Special Recognition Awards were presented for notable achievements in the Mid-Shore Region:  Dave Harp was recognized for his work in photographing the natural world of the Chesapeake Bay; Ashley Clark, Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center was recognized for her organization’s work to eliminate health disparities on the Eastern Shore; Linda Friday, President of the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce, was recognized for her work in promoting and supporting local businesses;  Elaine Tama and Marion Arnold were recognized for their efforts to shepherd a plastic bag ban through the Plastic-Free Easton Fund; and Cookie Brohawn was recognized for her leadership, formation, and continuation of the Chorus of Dorchester, an all-volunteer chorus that was founded 1975.

“The work of the Community Foundation is a collaborative effort,” said Duncan. “With your help, in Fiscal Year 2022, we distributed $8.2 million in grants and charitable expenses.”

Established in 1992, the 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 manages 525 charitable funds and $115 million in assets. Since its founding, the Foundation has processed more than $130 million in contributions and has distributed more than $60 million in grants and scholarships for the local community.  For additional information, visit www.mscf.org/annual-awards.

It seemed like old times at the Chesapeake Culinary Center on November 14^th, as representatives of local nonprofits gathered for breakfast and networking for the first time in three years. The hosts of the event, the Caroline Foundation Board members, made sure everyone enjoyed their morning by presenting those assembled with grants totaling $600,000.

Grants varied in size with some of the largest awards going to Compass Regional Hospice for services provided in Caroline County, His Hope Ministries for shelter operations, and Martin’s House & Barn for their food pantry.  Food insecurity was a priority as grants were also made to Aaron’s Place for their food program, Caroline County DSS for their summer SNAP program, Caroline County Public Schools for their backpack program, Chesapeake Culinary Center for their mobile pantry, and the Community Civic League for the Federalsburg community pantry.

The other grant recipients are Caroline Center, Caroline County Family YMCA, CASA of Caroline, Channel Marker, Choptank Community Health System, Critical Repairs Caroline County, Greater New Hope Church & Ministries, Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence, Partners in Care, Union Bethel AME Church, and Upper Shore Aging.

Each recipient was asked to speak about their organization, the critical issues they address, and the services they provide in Caroline County. This proved to be a highlight of the event as opportunities were identified to work together and support each other.

Terry Mead, President of The Caroline Foundation Board, proudly announced that in over the past seven year, $4,135,507 has been awarded to organizations providing health related services to Caroline County residents.

The Caroline Foundation benefits and provides economic support to organizations that provide medical and/or health-related services to residents of Caroline County.  In 1967 the citizens of Caroline County, with the support of the county government, created the Caroline Nursing Home.  In 2000, the Gables and The Caroline Foundation were created to address additional health needs in the community.  In 2015, the decision was made to sell the Caroline Nursing Home and the Gables to a company specializing in health management and to invest the proceeds as an endowment fund to be used for grant-making in perpetuity.

Grant applications are available online at Mid-Shore Community Foundation (mscf.org).
The deadline for submission is July 1.

Due to COVID-19, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s 2020 Annual Awards and Report to the Community will be held via a virtual format.

The annual event will highlight recent activities and will recognize individuals and organizations whose contributions have made a positive and substantial impact on the community.

This year’s honorees include: JoAnn Asparagus-Murray, Childlene Brooks, Anne Clucas and Debbie Molchan of St. Vincent de Paul, Jeff Horstman of ShoreRivers, Sandy Brown of Mid-Shore Pro Bono, Megan Cook and Emily Moody of CarePacks, Clay Washington of Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center, Larry Wilson of Sumner Hall, Ruth Clendaniel of Dorchester Retired Educators Association, Cesar Gonzalez of Cambridge Community Radio, and Sara Rich of Choptank Community Health System.

The pre-recorded video will premiere on Friday, November 20, 2020 at 9AM.  Those who register, will be sent a link to the viewing and afterwards, the video will be posted publicly for all to share!

Additional information, including registration, is available on the Foundation’s website (https://www.mscf.org/annual-awards).