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MRSPA: Opportunities to Advocate, Serve, and Connect
Do you know a local or state legislator? Let us know! We are looking for more contacts to help us advocate in Annapolis. Email us at mrspa@mrpsa.org with your contacts.
MRSPA Community Service Awards Presented in May
at the 2025 Annual Business Meeting
Winner-Individual Award, Patricia McKenzie - Wicomico County Retired School Personnel (WCRSPA)
Pat is a member of the Wicomico Retired School Personnel Association (WRSPA) volunteering for over 38 hours each month to her local association, her community and her church. Pat is the corresponding secretary for her local and an active member of their Executive Committee writing congratulatory notes and making award presentations. She has helped fill roles normally performed by the local president as the local currently has no president or vice president. As treasurer of Nanticoke Westside Parish, Pat does the accounting of the offerings and payments, spearheads fundraisers, and supports special projects via the Finance Committee, like providing gifts to needy families. Pat also volunteers at the Bivalve Thrift Shop sorting donations, pricing items, creating displays, and selling merchandise to benefit the neighborhood. The Westside Neighborhood Alliance also benefits from Pat’s volunteerism as she works on the fall school supply drive and Trunk or Treat events. Another event Pat supports is called Fresh Start which is sponsored by the Board of Education and Parks and Recreation. This event also provides school supplies and other services to the students of the county. Pat encourages fellow WRSPA members to participate, too. It is said that Pat is insightful, dependable, and has a heart for serving others. She is a wonderful role model for other retirees. She continues to use her time and talent to serve her community. Even with the arrival of a new grandchild, Pat is always ready to lend a hand where it is needed.
Honorable Mention – Kathleen Mullen - Cecil County Retried School Personnel - CCRPSA
Kathleen is a member of the Cecil County Retired School Personnel Association (CCRSPA) who volunteers over 50 hours a month to her local association, Northeast Elementary School, her church, and the hospital auxiliary. Kathleen has held a variety of positions in her local over the years and currently serves on the CCRSPA Executive Board as Chair of the Constitution Committee, which reviews the Constitution and Bylaws for needed changes every 2 years. As a member of the Executive Board of the Auxiliary of Christiana Care/Union Hospital, Kathleen participates in sales and vendor activities to raise money for the hospital and its varied projects. St. Mary Ann’s Episcopal Church benefits from Kathleen’s service as a church schoolteacher, member of the altar guild, funeral coordinator, vestry member, and doing outreach in the food pantry. Kathleen continues supporting students at North East Elementary School by volunteering in a kindergarten class as a reading group leader and assisting the teacher with clerical work. Kathleen is proof positive that retirees are super busy in their local and in their community.
NOTE: Local Association Project Awards:
Local Association Project Awards
Winner (200-899 members) – One-Room Schoolhouse (Charles)
Our members work throughout the year at the one-room schoolhouse in Port Tobacco, Maryland. During the academic year, when second graders have classes at the schoolhouse, our members clean the classroom before the students arrive and after they have finished, and someone lights a fire in the woodstove on cold mornings. The students get to experience a school day as it was years ago. On summer Saturdays, the schoolhouse is open to the public, and our members serve as docents.
Winner (200 – 899 members) – Adopt - A - Highway (Washington)
WCREPA began participating in the Maryland Department of Transportation State HIghway Administration's Adopt-A-Highway Program in April 2024. As a participant, they are required to pick up litter along a 1.1 stretch of roadway in Washington County court times a year. They currently have 12 members on the team who participate regularly.
Winner (900+ members) – Shepherds Cove Shelter for Women and Children- (Prince George's County)
On October 24, 2024, the Community Service Committee (CSC) engaged the children in a reading and activities focused on the folk legend “Johnny Appleseed”. The children listened to a reading of the story and then created “pot hats”. Each child received a copy of the book along with apple tasting, and other goodies. They also engaged in math activity sheets themed around the character Johnny Appleseed. Nine children participated in this program. The women residents were engaged with Dr. Sonia L. King, who led the women in self-esteem, goal setting, and inspiration. Nine women of various ages participated in this workshop and asked if the session could be continued at a future session. It was an amazing evening!
Our second session at the shelter was on November 20, 2024. This session was focused on Thanksgiving for the children and a Seated Yoga/Mindfulness session with Dr. Nicole E. Ford, founder of Yoga with Soul for the women. Twelve children (two not pictured) engaged in activities that supported their learning of directionality, listening skills, and math skills. The women residents at the shelter were led in seated yoga moves and breathing exercises to eliminate stress and anxiety. Each of the eleven women participated fully in the session and received scented soaps as a gift.
As a local association, Prince George's County has participated in 5 sessions with this shelter and has plans for continuation.
We encourage continued participation in the coming years.
The MRSPA Community Service Committee thanks and congratulates all our member volunteers! We are so proud of all you do!
The Community Service Committee will start taking nominations for Community Service Awards again in Spring 2026.
