(Nov. 10, 2016) During a packed annual meeting at the Fountains in Salisbury, last Friday, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) welcomed several new and returning board members, said goodbye to three who served the local nonprofit for more than a decade each, and honored several people – and one organization – who made a difference in their community in 2016.
Former CFES Board Chairwoman Melody Nelson was given the Chairman’s Award, Hope, Inc. received the Nonprofit Award of Excellence, Mary Gladys Jones was given the Humanitarian Award and, ironically, Walt McCabe was named Volunteer of the Year — an award originally given to and named for Jones, in 2011.
Board Chairman John Allen said about 350 people registered for the event, which included a brief rundown of CFES activities during the last fiscal year.
Established in 1984, the 501(c)(3) uses donations to create permanent endowment funds, which are then given as grants to charitable groups and nonprofits in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. More than 400 such organizations have received funds.
In total, CFES has given $61.7 million in grants, including $5.4 million during the last fiscal year and a record $452,942 in scholarships to more than 300 area students.
“We use, at the Community Foundation, the tag line ‘connecting people who care with causes that matter,’” Allen said. “To look out over this room and think about the relationships … we’re truly blessed to have individuals that care about one another, that care about our community, and that care about making things better.”
Allen recognized retiring board member Jim Almand, who served two 12-year terms, and Jane Corcoran and Lou Taylor, who each served one term.
New board members Morgan Hazel, Velda Henry, Todd Hershey, Jim Jones, George Whitehead and Dr. Annette Wallace were confirmed by a vote during the meeting, while John Allen, Tom Coates, Jim Thomas, David Vorhis and Nelson were accepted as returning board members.
Treasurer Mike Truitt presented an unmodified audit opinion that included $102.3 million in assets “invested in highly diversified portfolio” that he said continued “to perform very well when compared to other community foundations across the country.”
A motion to accept the audit report passed without objection.
Allen presented the Chairman’s Award to Nelson, calling her a paramount board member with a thoughtful nature, commitment to detail, and a warm and sincere concern for others.
“When a chair leaves [and] a new chair comes it’s really difficult to fill their shoes. That’s exceptionally true of our recipient this year,” Allen said.
Nelson said she accepted the award on behalf of a “wonderful board of directors” and an “unbelievable” staff.
Barbara Whitehead, CFES committee member, presented the Nonprofit Award.
Hope, Inc. started in 1999 as a volunteer group that helped local homeless. The organization now collaborates with 45 agencies in the tri-county area and served more than 2,000 people last year alone.
“Thank you so much. It’s quite an honor to be recognized this way,” Donna Clark, director of Hope, Inc., said, adding that the group literally “started out of the back of cars.”
“We couldn’t be where we are without the support of our volunteers (and) our board of directors,” she added. “You’d be amazed with what they put up with sometimes.”
Board member Susan Purnell handed out the Volunteer of the Year Award, saying McCabe, a former AP and Reuters worker, was nominated by three different area agencies this year and works diligently with Coastal Hospice, the Ward Museum and the Salisbury Zoo.
“Thank you all very much — it’s greatly appreciated. Something unusual for me, I am speechless,” he said. “It means a great deal to me.”
Almand presented the Humanitarian Award, calling Jones “truly an angel” who devoted her life to teaching children.
A schoolteacher for more than four decades, she helped establish the Fruitland Community Center Tutorial Program, where she has been active for 33 years.
She took the stage following a minute-long standing ovation.
“I am speechless, and that is most unusual,” she said. “Thank you — thank you so much — and someone is going to be in trouble. This is such an honor.”
Also noted during the gala, the Community Foundation has established a special website devoted to “Giving Tuesday,” Nov. 29. To learn more, visit www.shoregivesmore.com.
Former CFES Board Chairwoman Melody Nelson was given the Chairman’s Award, Hope, Inc. received the Nonprofit Award of Excellence, Mary Gladys Jones was given the Humanitarian Award and, ironically, Walt McCabe was named Volunteer of the Year — an award originally given to and named for Jones, in 2011.
Board Chairman John Allen said about 350 people registered for the event, which included a brief rundown of CFES activities during the last fiscal year.
Established in 1984, the 501(c)(3) uses donations to create permanent endowment funds, which are then given as grants to charitable groups and nonprofits in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. More than 400 such organizations have received funds.
In total, CFES has given $61.7 million in grants, including $5.4 million during the last fiscal year and a record $452,942 in scholarships to more than 300 area students.
“We use, at the Community Foundation, the tag line ‘connecting people who care with causes that matter,’” Allen said. “To look out over this room and think about the relationships … we’re truly blessed to have individuals that care about one another, that care about our community, and that care about making things better.”
Allen recognized retiring board member Jim Almand, who served two 12-year terms, and Jane Corcoran and Lou Taylor, who each served one term.
New board members Morgan Hazel, Velda Henry, Todd Hershey, Jim Jones, George Whitehead and Dr. Annette Wallace were confirmed by a vote during the meeting, while John Allen, Tom Coates, Jim Thomas, David Vorhis and Nelson were accepted as returning board members.
Treasurer Mike Truitt presented an unmodified audit opinion that included $102.3 million in assets “invested in highly diversified portfolio” that he said continued “to perform very well when compared to other community foundations across the country.”
A motion to accept the audit report passed without objection.
Allen presented the Chairman’s Award to Nelson, calling her a paramount board member with a thoughtful nature, commitment to detail, and a warm and sincere concern for others.
“When a chair leaves [and] a new chair comes it’s really difficult to fill their shoes. That’s exceptionally true of our recipient this year,” Allen said.
Nelson said she accepted the award on behalf of a “wonderful board of directors” and an “unbelievable” staff.
Barbara Whitehead, CFES committee member, presented the Nonprofit Award.
Hope, Inc. started in 1999 as a volunteer group that helped local homeless. The organization now collaborates with 45 agencies in the tri-county area and served more than 2,000 people last year alone.
“Thank you so much. It’s quite an honor to be recognized this way,” Donna Clark, director of Hope, Inc., said, adding that the group literally “started out of the back of cars.”
“We couldn’t be where we are without the support of our volunteers (and) our board of directors,” she added. “You’d be amazed with what they put up with sometimes.”
Board member Susan Purnell handed out the Volunteer of the Year Award, saying McCabe, a former AP and Reuters worker, was nominated by three different area agencies this year and works diligently with Coastal Hospice, the Ward Museum and the Salisbury Zoo.
“Thank you all very much — it’s greatly appreciated. Something unusual for me, I am speechless,” he said. “It means a great deal to me.”
Almand presented the Humanitarian Award, calling Jones “truly an angel” who devoted her life to teaching children.
A schoolteacher for more than four decades, she helped establish the Fruitland Community Center Tutorial Program, where she has been active for 33 years.
She took the stage following a minute-long standing ovation.
“I am speechless, and that is most unusual,” she said. “Thank you — thank you so much — and someone is going to be in trouble. This is such an honor.”
Also noted during the gala, the Community Foundation has established a special website devoted to “Giving Tuesday,” Nov. 29. To learn more, visit www.shoregivesmore.com.