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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 an active member of the Executive Committee. As Corresponding Secretary, she writes notes of congratulations to Wicomico County teachers and students who receive awards, grants and other recognition. She serves on the Scholarship Committee, ranking applications and making award presentations. She has recognized the efforts of the new teachers, by helping to serve their dinner at multiple training meetings. Our chapter is currently operating without a President and Vice President. Throughout Pat’s two years on this committee, she has stepped up to serve in numerous capacities that fall under the President’s responsibilities.
Teachers and students alike appreciate being recognized, and the notes from Pat reinforce their pride in a job well done. Our chapter is currently operating without a President and Vice President, but throughout Pat’s two years on the Executive Committee, she has stepped up to serve in numerous capacities that fall under the President’s responsibilities and contributed new insights; thereby breathing new wind into our sails. I don’t know how we would have weathered this situation without her willingness to meet so many of our organizational needs. Collectively we have accomplished more of our chapter’s service goals, i.e. providing resources for our school communities, providing scholarships to graduating seniors who plan to become educators, and building camaraderie among our members, to name a few. Pat is insightful, dependable, and has a heart for serving others.
NWP is a group of churches in the Bivalve, Nanticoke and Tyaskin neighborhoods. Pat is responsible for accounting of offerings and payments, spearheading fundraisers, and bringing special projects to the finance committee. One such project, the neighborhood Christmas Dinner, was enhanced by Pat who bought blankets and toys for the children attending. Pat partnered with staff of Westside Primary School to organize a “Christmas Angel Tree” within the Parish, encouraging the congregation to provide gifts for families in need at the school. Pat involved the children of the church, as they stuffed fifty stockings for needy parish families.
With the leadership and servant heart of Pat, the Finance Committee and community members they serve beyond their local needs. In October 2024, Nanticoke Westside Parish raised a large donation for relief to people in Western North Carolina following the tragic hurricane. The community as well as Pat’s family, who recently added a grandchild, couldn’t ask for a better role model.
Pat also volunteers with the Westside Neighborhood Alliance in planning and executing special events. She helped with a school supply giveaway in the fall, had a trunk decorated at the trunk or treat.
The Westside Community Center is now run by the WSNA. Pat supports this group and helps them get community members to participate in events. It is wonderful that the Community Center is getting used again as a program and event focal point. A wide variety of programs are offered, and Pat is always ready to lend a hand.
Pat will rise to any challenge it seems, to encourage and assist others. Additionally, she can easily work with other volunteers, as is evidenced by her volunteer service for the Bivalve Thrift Shop. She works with nine other volunteers to sort donations, price items, create displays and sell merchandise for the benefit of the neighborhood.
Impact of volunteerism on the volunteer and the beneficiaries.
The Wicomico County Board of Education and Wicomico Recreation and Parks worked together to create the Fresh Start Event which occurs at the end of August. The purpose is to get needed school supplies and other services to the students of Wicomico County. Pat volunteers for this all-day event and encourages her fellow WRSPA members to participate as well.
Students and parents of students in Wicomico County appreciate the help in getting together supplies needed to start the school year with what is needed to succeed. Fresh Start is a huge help in getting the community ready for school. According to Wicomico Recreation and Parks, “More than a dozen organizations collaborate on this initiative to reach thousands of children and invest in the future of the area’s youth.”
Honorable Mention – Kathleen Mullen - Cecil County Retried School Personnel - CCRPSA
Kathleen volunteers over 25 hours each month to a variety of community causes including with her local CCRSPA. Kathleen volunteers with a local elementary school, her church, and the local hospital to read to kids, and raise funds respectively. She was formerly Cecil County president and has served on a number of committees within Cecil county since. She has been a pst of special projects to raise awareness and funds for mental health and breast cancer.
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.
Due to low numbers of participants, all local projects received an award. We encourage more 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!