WEST OCEAN CITY– The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce honored the spirit of volunteerism and community involvement during its Annual Awards Banquet at the Marlin Club on Thursday, Oct. 9.
Maryland District 38 Sen. Jim Mathias, House of Delegates District 38B Delegate Mike McDermott and District 5 Worcester County Commissioner Judy Boggs were on hand to present commendations to honorees.
“Tonight we honor some wonderful people and wonderful organizations who have contributed greatly to our community,” said Chamber Executive Director Elizabeth Kain-Bolen.
The chamber opened in 1975 and since that time,” Kain-Bolen said, “Our mission has been … to sustain our local economic development by promoting and referring our members to the local residential communities of Ocean Pines, Berlin, Ocean City and surrounding areas. We pride ourselves on being the local’s chamber.”
Incoming President Anna Giles said the core principals of the Chamber were, “join, engage and grow.”
“During my presidency I would like to stick to those core principals,” she said. “My goal this year is to really focus on membership. If we can continue to grow our membership … we can promote more businesses. We want to continue to grow our membership so we can serve the community that has served us as business owners.”
The chamber honored Kiwanis Club of Ocean Pines/Ocean City as 2014 Non-Profit of the Year.
Kain-Bolen said the 70-member organization spent hundreds of volunteer hours raising funds for community programs and assisting senior citizens and youth programs.
“They are a true community organization,” she said, adding community donations to date totaled more than $26,000, including $16,500 in scholarships to 15 area high school seniors.
“Whether it’s for scholarship purposes or the senior (organizations) that they are involved in, they make people feel warm and invited and they know they’re not forgotten,” McDermott said. “I encourage everyone here to be involved, to reach out and do what you can as a volunteer.”
Boggs has been a member of the Kiwanis for 16 years.
“Once you get involved in community service it just becomes a way of life,” she said.
Newly elected Kiwanis President Carolyn Dryzga said she was “surprised and delighted” to win the award.
“We are just local people making a local difference,” she said. “Our 60-plus members give back and pay it forward every day with countless volunteer hours and with gracious hearts.”
Dryzga said Kiwanis would not be successful without the support of the Ocean Pines community.
“We will continue to serve our community and look forward to having you among us,” she said.
WMDT executive Terri Mahoney received the Citizen of the Year award. An Ocean Pines resident for more than 30 years, Mahoney served as chamber president for more than six years and is the current chairperson of the Junior Auxiliary Group of Atlantic General Hospital.
“There’s pretty much not a committee that she didn’t serve,” said Kain-Bolen. “She is a true community servant. Her passion for animals and cancer research shows that she volunteers for many, many local fundraising events. She has a unique way of rallying the troops for the different causes (and) she so very well deserves receiving the award.”
“I want you to know that volunteers like (Mahoney) don’t do this work for any other reason than – more than what they do, it’s who they are,” Boggs said. “You become a public servant. You manage to put it into your life. No matter how busy you your life might be there’s always time for public service because that’s who she is.”
Mahoney said she was grateful for the chamber’s support.
“Thanks to all my friends for supporting me this evening and every business that puts up with me bugging them for auction items and sponsorships,” she said.
Calvin B. Taylor Bank took home the Business of the Year honor. A staple of the community since 1890, the bank boasts nine Worcester County branches and regularly donates to organizations, including AGH, Diakonia, Worcester County Development Center, Believe in Tomorrow, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Women Supporting Women and local schools.
“Taylor Bank has helped our members specifically over and over again,” Kain-Bolen said. “Their bank prides themselves on being a local bank with local interests.”
Mathias recalled that when he moved to Worcester County, he opened his first account at Taylor Bank.
“Your financial stewardship has really guided our area,” he said. “Certainly you hear about what’s wrong with our world, but the fact of the matter is that you’re there. You underwrite our youth and give them the opportunity to have a balanced checkbook, understand about debt and how to move forward.”
Mathias touted the bank’s support of the Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship Fund, which promoted suicide prevention and awareness.
“Giving a child hope is absolutely the most important thing,” he said. “Being there to work for that organization … is absolutely incredible. Even with the toughest of economic times, whether it’s been hurricanes or natural disasters or economic downturn, Calvin B. Taylor has been there and will continue to be there.”
McDermott said the bank has survived a depression and three recessions.
“They’re still here,” he said. “And they’re here because of quality banking practices.”
Boggs called the award “well deserved.”
“These people take seriously their obligation to our community,” she said. “I thank you very much personally because I’m in there a couple of days a week usually.”
“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve you,” said Bank President Wes McCabe.
The final award of the evening went to Frank Bolen Sr., a veteran and volunteer who spent hundreds of hours helping to set up and break down Ocean Pines community events.
“Thank you for your service to our country, to our community and to our fellow man,” Mathias said. “All God gives us in this world is time and you’ve given it back to us. God bless you.”
McDermott said even though he served in the Army, he would make an exception and honor a marine.
“You have done what others would not do,” he said. “You have fulfilled the role that others neglected. You have always stood in the gap – that’s why you’re an unsung hero.”
“I do whatever the chamber asks me to do,” Bolen Sr. replied.
Maryland District 38 Sen. Jim Mathias, House of Delegates District 38B Delegate Mike McDermott and District 5 Worcester County Commissioner Judy Boggs were on hand to present commendations to honorees.
“Tonight we honor some wonderful people and wonderful organizations who have contributed greatly to our community,” said Chamber Executive Director Elizabeth Kain-Bolen.
The chamber opened in 1975 and since that time,” Kain-Bolen said, “Our mission has been … to sustain our local economic development by promoting and referring our members to the local residential communities of Ocean Pines, Berlin, Ocean City and surrounding areas. We pride ourselves on being the local’s chamber.”
Incoming President Anna Giles said the core principals of the Chamber were, “join, engage and grow.”
“During my presidency I would like to stick to those core principals,” she said. “My goal this year is to really focus on membership. If we can continue to grow our membership … we can promote more businesses. We want to continue to grow our membership so we can serve the community that has served us as business owners.”
The chamber honored Kiwanis Club of Ocean Pines/Ocean City as 2014 Non-Profit of the Year.
Kain-Bolen said the 70-member organization spent hundreds of volunteer hours raising funds for community programs and assisting senior citizens and youth programs.
“They are a true community organization,” she said, adding community donations to date totaled more than $26,000, including $16,500 in scholarships to 15 area high school seniors.
“Whether it’s for scholarship purposes or the senior (organizations) that they are involved in, they make people feel warm and invited and they know they’re not forgotten,” McDermott said. “I encourage everyone here to be involved, to reach out and do what you can as a volunteer.”
Boggs has been a member of the Kiwanis for 16 years.
“Once you get involved in community service it just becomes a way of life,” she said.
Newly elected Kiwanis President Carolyn Dryzga said she was “surprised and delighted” to win the award.
“We are just local people making a local difference,” she said. “Our 60-plus members give back and pay it forward every day with countless volunteer hours and with gracious hearts.”
Dryzga said Kiwanis would not be successful without the support of the Ocean Pines community.
“We will continue to serve our community and look forward to having you among us,” she said.
WMDT executive Terri Mahoney received the Citizen of the Year award. An Ocean Pines resident for more than 30 years, Mahoney served as chamber president for more than six years and is the current chairperson of the Junior Auxiliary Group of Atlantic General Hospital.
“There’s pretty much not a committee that she didn’t serve,” said Kain-Bolen. “She is a true community servant. Her passion for animals and cancer research shows that she volunteers for many, many local fundraising events. She has a unique way of rallying the troops for the different causes (and) she so very well deserves receiving the award.”
“I want you to know that volunteers like (Mahoney) don’t do this work for any other reason than – more than what they do, it’s who they are,” Boggs said. “You become a public servant. You manage to put it into your life. No matter how busy you your life might be there’s always time for public service because that’s who she is.”
Mahoney said she was grateful for the chamber’s support.
“Thanks to all my friends for supporting me this evening and every business that puts up with me bugging them for auction items and sponsorships,” she said.
Calvin B. Taylor Bank took home the Business of the Year honor. A staple of the community since 1890, the bank boasts nine Worcester County branches and regularly donates to organizations, including AGH, Diakonia, Worcester County Development Center, Believe in Tomorrow, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Women Supporting Women and local schools.
“Taylor Bank has helped our members specifically over and over again,” Kain-Bolen said. “Their bank prides themselves on being a local bank with local interests.”
Mathias recalled that when he moved to Worcester County, he opened his first account at Taylor Bank.
“Your financial stewardship has really guided our area,” he said. “Certainly you hear about what’s wrong with our world, but the fact of the matter is that you’re there. You underwrite our youth and give them the opportunity to have a balanced checkbook, understand about debt and how to move forward.”
Mathias touted the bank’s support of the Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship Fund, which promoted suicide prevention and awareness.
“Giving a child hope is absolutely the most important thing,” he said. “Being there to work for that organization … is absolutely incredible. Even with the toughest of economic times, whether it’s been hurricanes or natural disasters or economic downturn, Calvin B. Taylor has been there and will continue to be there.”
McDermott said the bank has survived a depression and three recessions.
“They’re still here,” he said. “And they’re here because of quality banking practices.”
Boggs called the award “well deserved.”
“These people take seriously their obligation to our community,” she said. “I thank you very much personally because I’m in there a couple of days a week usually.”
“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve you,” said Bank President Wes McCabe.
The final award of the evening went to Frank Bolen Sr., a veteran and volunteer who spent hundreds of hours helping to set up and break down Ocean Pines community events.
“Thank you for your service to our country, to our community and to our fellow man,” Mathias said. “All God gives us in this world is time and you’ve given it back to us. God bless you.”
McDermott said even though he served in the Army, he would make an exception and honor a marine.
“You have done what others would not do,” he said. “You have fulfilled the role that others neglected. You have always stood in the gap – that’s why you’re an unsung hero.”
“I do whatever the chamber asks me to do,” Bolen Sr. replied.