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Press Releases
2008 Annual Meeting Celebrates 25 Yrs. of Charitable Leadership
November 7, 2008
Jay Tawes was presented the Community Foundation's 2008 Morris Humanitarian Award for his lifetime of supporting Crisfield area residents and organizations at the Foundation's 25th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Meeting. Pictured (l to r) are Danny Thompson, Somerset County Economic Development Commission Executive Director; Spicer Bell, Community Foundation President; and Jay Tawes, 2008 award recipient.
Over 300 people gathered to celebrate 25 years of charitable leadership at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore’s (CFES) annual meeting and awards luncheon on Friday, Nov. 7th at The Fountains Conference Center in
Salisbury .
“We are faced with the most challenging economic times in the history of our Foundation and as a result of those challenges there is an increasing demand for services from the nonprofit sector to meet community needs,” said
Spicer Bell , CFES President. “The Community Foundation is here to help support the charitable organizations of today and looking forward to the next 25 years and beyond. Our support in the community remains strong and our commitment to our mission and resolve has never been stronger,”
Bell noted.
The Foundation reported on its activities during the past year in support of nonprofit organizations and reported record levels of scholarships, grants and other initiatives to benefit the citizens of the
Lower Eastern Shore . Since its founding in 1984, the Community Foundation has distributed $32 million in grants to support charitable programs in the region.
Board chairman Arthur M. Cooley presented the annual report to the community noting that during the past fiscal year the Foundation set a new record in grant making by distributing $3.2 million through 1095 grants to the community. Cooley also noted that during fiscal 2008 the Foundation’s assets reached $68.2 million, with $4.6 million received in new gifts from donors. The Foundation currently holds 455 charitable funds that benefit the community.
As part of their 25th Anniversary celebration, the Foundation announced they will award a 25th Anniversary Community Partnership Prize. The prize, to be awarded at the Foundation’s 25th birthday celebration in May, will recognize nonprofit organizations that initiate innovative partnerships and collaborative efforts that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the local nonprofit community.
During the annual meeting, Kathleen McLain of Salisbury, Lauren Taylor of Ocean City, and Ernie Satchell of Princess Anne, were nominated to serve three-year terms on the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.
The highlight of the annual meeting is the presentation of honors and awards. Cooley presented the 2008 Chairman’s Award to Jeff Turner of the
Somerset
County community of Chance. Turner is serving his fourth three-year term as a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Cooley praised Turner for the support he has provided and continues to provide on several Foundation committees.
Cooley said, “It is my pleasure to present the Chairman’s award to someone who generously gives his time to serve on several standing Committees including the Investment Committee, the Richard Henson Award of Excellence Committee, and as the current chair for the Membership Committee.”
Two other major Foundation Awards were also announced --- the Award of Excellence honoring Richard A. Henson that recognizes outstanding local nonprofit organizations, and the Frank H. Morris Humanitarian Award for an individual who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the community.
For the first time the Foundation honored two nonprofit organizations as recipients of the Henson Award of Excellence as the region’s outstanding nonprofit organizations. Receiving the Henson Award were The Village of Hope and Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County. Both organizations were founded in
Salisbury and have just celebrated their 20th anniversaries.
The
Village of
Hope provides safe transitional housing for homeless women with and without dependent children. The organization also provides primary medical care for uninsured women over the age of 18. In just the last couple of years, the
Village
Medical
Center has rendered patient care to over 8,000 poor and uninsured individuals.
The nonprofit organization serves
Somerset , Wicomico and Worcester counties and has a rich tradition of working with other local organizations to maximize the impact of its services. During the last year The Village of Hope provided 8,203 bed nights for 20 previously homeless women and their 29 children.
Homeless women in residence at The Village of Hope benefit from a structured, supervised facility, and are assisted in exploring educational and vocational opportunities that will lead them to self-sufficiency. Residents at The Village of Hope are required to be drug-free, employed or attending school. Residents in the transitional living facility may stay in the program for up to two years.
The second Henson Award of Excellence recipient, Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County provides an opportunity for decent, affordable housing through interest-free mortgage.
Fifty Habitat homes have been completed in
Wicomico
County serving about 150 individuals. Applicants for Habitat homes must attend Financial Fitness Classes and a Home Ownership workshop, save about $2,000 for closing costs and complete 300 sweat equity hours either in their home or another Habitat home under construction.
Habitat for Humanity’s success has been demonstrated through its strong leadership in neighborhood revitalization efforts in
Salisbury . Habitat provides the means for a wide spectrum of individuals and organizations to re-invest in rebuilding the
Church Street neighborhood that is only a short walk from downtown.
The Community Foundation’s 2008 Morris Humanitarian Award was presented to John “Jay” Tawes, of Crisfield, who has spent a lifetime supporting the residents and organizations of his community with a special level of passion and commitment. Tawes has been an active volunteer for over 30 years and is known for his kindness and professional leadership in the community.
Tawes is well known for his uncommonly dedicated volunteer service to the Crisfield area. Events which he has supported as a volunteer includes the annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake, the National Hard Crab Derby, the Scorchy Tawes Pro-Am Fishing Tournament, and the Terrapin Fish Fry. Jay Tawes has served as president of the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce and is currently a board member and Finance Committee Chair for the Chamber.
Tawes has participated in the Crisfield Volunteer Fire Department, Crisfield Lions Club, the Crisfield Yacht Club, the Crisfield Salvation Army and the Crisfield Kiwanis Club. He has also been a member and leader of the Somerset County Economic Development Commission, the Tri-County Council Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee, the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance and served on the Wor-Wic Community College Foundation board of directors. Tawes is currently serving as the chair of the McCready Foundation’s Nursing Home Capital Campaign.
