The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore celebrated its 30th Anniversary in festive fashion Saturday night, May 17th at the Fountains Wedding & Conference Center in Salisbury.
Nearly 200 people marked this important benchmark in the life of the Community Foundation by celebrating with an evening of friendship, food and dancing to the band Groove Line.
The Chairman’s Award was presented to Jim Almand, Community Foundation Board Member. A two-time member of the Board of Directors, Jim ascended the officer ranks to serve as Chairman in 1996 and again in 2010. Jim serves as an ambassador for the Community Foundation through his family’s charitable giving and community involvement.
The special evening also notably featured the presentation of three Pearls of Service Awards created to celebrate, reward and encourage outstanding achievement in the charitable sector. The Pearls of Service Awards were presented to Diakonia, MAC, Inc., and the Seton Center. These three charitable organizations were honored for their service to Somerset, Wicomico and/or Worcester Counties, had received one or more grants from the Community Foundation and have been notably effective in using that support, and demonstrated continued efficacy in meeting critical community human service needs. Each organization received an award and a $10,000 grant designated to benefit their agency endowment fund at the Community Foundation.
The 30th Anniversary is sponsored by the following individuals and businesses: Hazel Charitable Family Fund, Richard A. Henson Foundation, First Shore Federal, Mason Investment Advisory Services, Inc., Seacrets, Avery Hall Insurance Agency, Inc., Tom and Beth Hershey, Kuhn’s Jewelers, Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy, and Almand P.A., The Bank of Delmarva, Choptank Electric Cooperative, Comcast Spotlight, Art and Billie Cooley, Delmarva Power, G2 Properties, Hebron Savings Bank, Nelson Insurance Agency, Inc. and PNC Bank.
Led by Melody Nelson, CFES board chair, a special thank you to the 30th Anniversary Ad-Hoc Committee members who donated their time and talents to coordinating the 30th Anniversary Gala: Art Cooley, Tom Hershey, Marty Neat, Emily Robinson and Gee Williams. In addition, thank you to Jackie’s Flowers & More for providing the table centerpieces.