MRSPA Community Service Awards 2018- 2019
2019 Annual Business Meeting
Outstanding Individual Award -
Lynne Bratten - Wicomico County
The 2019 Individual Community Service Award Winner was Lynne Bratten from Wicomico
County. Lynne volunteers between 100 and 300 hours a month to a variety of community organizations, including the Community Players of Salisbury and the drama departments of 4 local school systems. Lynne painstakingly organizes and categorizes the costume and props departments to enable sharing between the departments and the Community Players. She assists with several theater productions annually. Additionally, Lynne volunteers with the Optimist Club of Salisbury heading up their scholar- ship program. She is a member of the Housing Board of Adjustments in Salisbury and has served in various leadership roles in the Wicomico Retired Educational Personnel Association over the last 7 years.
Left to Right:
MRSPA Community Service Chair, Trish Bendler and Outstanding Individual Award Winner Lynne Bratten, Wicomico County.
Individual Honorable Mention Award -
Bonnie Troxell
Bonnie Troxell of Allegany County won the Honorable Mention prize for Individual Community Service. She was awarded a certificate for her volunteerism as Editor of the MRSPA News, for her work with AARP Maryland, a member of the Red Hat Club, her Church Circle, and the Credit Union Reality Fair for high school seniors. Additionally, Bonnie volunteers as a docent at the C&O Canal classroom and museum in Cumberland.
Left to Right:
Honorable Mention Individual Winner Bonnie Troxell of Allegany County and Community Service Chair, Trish Bendler.
Local Association Project Awards
Small Local Association Winner (1-199 members)
Allegany County Retired School Personnel (ACRSP)
In the small local category, Allegany County Retired School Personnel Association was awarded for their project Holiday Community Event. They worked with the Cumberland Fire Department and Toys for Happiness to help ensure children in need enjoyed a new toy during the holidays.
Left to Right:
Small Local Association Project Winner Karen Bundy, Local President of Allegany County, and Trish Bendler, Community Service Chair.
Medium Local Association Winner (200-899 members)
St. Mary's County Public Schools Retirees Association (SMCPSRA) - Nibble and Notes Project
St. Mary’s County Public Schools Retirees Association won the medium category for their Nibble and Notes Project. Following the tragic school shooting at Great Mills High School in 2018, the retirees sent Hershey Bars covered with a message on the wrapper and handwritten notes to the staff of GMHS showing their support. The responses SMCPSRA received from the staff was so positive, they expanded the project to other schools in the system.
Left to Right:
Medium Local representative Deborah Faller and Trish Bendler, Community Service Chair
Large Local Association Winner (over 900 members)
Association of Baltimore City Public School Retirees (ABCPSR)-Scholarship Project
Winning in the large category was the Association of Baltimore City Public School Retirees for their Scholarship Project. Working with the Steppin’ Out Bunch, members hold a crab feast and raffle annually to raise money and bring awareness of their scholarship program for high school seniors.
Left to Right:
Large Local Association Project Winner Patrycia Pickett, Baltimore City, and Trish Bendler, Community Service Chair