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MRSPA: Opportunities to Advocate, Serve, and Connect
The Maryland Retired School Personnel Association seeks applications for the position of Executive Director. Please review these documents for information on the position and the application procedure. Serious applicants should apply by 4:00 p.m. on June 29, 2026.
MRSPA Community Service Awards Presented in May
at the 2026 Annual Business Meeting
Winner - Individual Award, Karol Wolgemuth
St. Mary's County Retired School Personnel Association (SMCPSRA)
Photographs courtesy of Mr. Sam Levitan, photographer.
Karen Wolgemuth is a member is a member of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Retirees Association (SMCPSRA) volunteering 60 hours monthly to her local and community. Karol is the Program/Luncheon Chair, serving on the Board of Directors for her local and setting the locations, securing the catering, and locating speakers for their general meetings. St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen benefits from Karol’s help every Monday when they serve over 50 people breakfast and lunch, as well as preparing boxes of food for over 75 needy families weekly. Picking up donated food from partners is also one of Karol’s duties. For WARM (Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many), Karol solicits and coordinates with over 20 volunteer churches that provide the homeless with shelter, a place to sleep, breakfast and dinner for one week each from November through March. Karol also helps move the needed bedding and supplies from church to church weekly. Working through the Church of the Ascension, Karol collects and facilitates food drops with Feed St. Mary’s and the Southern Maryland food pantry, in addition to working in the church pantry which feeds over 5,000 monthly. Karol is also the church newsletter editor, where she advocates for food donations. Each November, Karol organizes a Community Thanksgiving for between 175 and 200 attendees working with multiple churches and organizations to secure the food and volunteers. Volunteer fire fighters and other first responders working on Thanksgiving Day are also delivered a meal through this effort. Karol volunteers at the Leonardtown Middle School Library cataloging and checking out books. She engages students in discussions promoting the love of reading. Historic Sotterley Plantation also benefits from Karol’s volunteerism. Working through their education department, she interacts with students touring the house and grounds on field trips. She teaches the history of the plantation and interprets artifacts on display. Knowing that some students are descendants of slaves and slave owners, Karol helps create a bridge between the two groups.
Honorable Mention- Individual Award, Paul Humphrey
Paul Humphreys is a member of the Cecil County Retired School Personnel Association (CCRSPA) who volunteers close to 60 hours a month to his local, his church, and community. Paul is the current treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of CCRSPA. He keeps the books and prepares the financial statements for the quarterly meetings. As a trustee of the Elkton United Methodist Church, Paul oversees everyday repairs and updates to the church and grounds. A memorial scattering garden was created under his leadership. He is also a member of the chancel choir providing music during services throughout the year. Music plays additional roles in Paul’s volunteerism as a member of the Elkton Town Band (ETB), Swing City, Music Masters, and Rhythm Doctors. ETB does four performances a year with six practices prior to each. Paul is also on the ETB Board of Directors. He enjoys performing with the other three organizations whether playing big band, jazz, or show tunes for area civic, church, and community events. As a member of the Welsh Hill Preserve Maintenance Corporation Board of Directors, Paul meets monthly to address concerns for community members, keeps the grass cut, oversees snow clearing, and ensures their wet pond and bio-retention area meets county specs. This corporation serves as the homeowner’s association of his community.
2025-2026 Individual Nominees: Cecil County, Paul Humphrey; Frederick County, Ginny Brace; St. Mary’s County, Karol Wolgemuth; and Wicomico County, Alison Soper
The Community Service Committee will start taking nominations for Community Service Awards again in Spring 2027.
Local Association Project Awards
Winner 1 (900+ members) – "Forestville Healthcare Center"– Prince George’s Public Schools Retirees Association (PGPSRA) The PGPSRA Community Service Committee began working with the Forestville Healthcare Center this year providing much needed toiletries, word search books, colored pens, greeting cards, and 2026 calendars to the 150 residents. Coordinating with Ms. Fortune the Activities Director, Committee members visited each room to provide gifts. Members also read to the residents, engaging them in discussion while enjoying an ice cream treat. Holiday photos and frames were distributed in December while the residents enjoyed Bingo and more gifts of hand lotions, nail polish, water bottles, scarves, and journals. A talent show and a game of Name that Tune were held in March, with committee members also sharing their talents. Plastic clappers were used to celebrate the performers.
Winner 2 (900+ members) – “Coats for Kids”
Montgomery County Public Schools Retirees Association (MCPSRA)
Montgomery County Public Schools Retirees Association (MCPSRA) It may be a surprise to many that many students and families in MoCo face financial challenges. In fact, 43% of their 157,000 students qualify for FARMS. Seeing the great need, MCPSRA launched a new project this year to provide winter coats to the neediest K-3 students. Through generous member donations, including a match from member Dr. Dick Lipsky, over 100 students at Title 1 schools received new winter coats purchased through an arrangement with Costco.
No other Local Nominations were received.
The MRSPA Community Service Committee thanks and congratulates all our member volunteers! We are so proud of all you do!