January 23, 2020 – Salisbury, Md. – Lower Shore education foundations received more than $230,000 through The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore’s Spark campaign. The major challenge grant was announced in April of 2019 in honor of the Foundation’s 35th anniversary with The Wicomico County Education Foundation, Worcester County Education Foundation and Somerset County Public Schools as the beneficiaries of the initiative.
Each beneficiary was challenged to raise $35,000 or more and the Community Foundation then provided a 1:1 match up to $35,000, for a total fundraising goal of $210,000. The campaign surpassed its goal by over $20,000 with the individual organizations raising the following amounts: Worcester County Education Foundation $80,035, Wicomico County Education Foundation $77,229.89, Somerset County Public Schools $72,806.
“Building and investing in our local community is at the core of what the Community Foundation does,” states Erica Joseph, CFES President. “It only felt right to kick off and conclude our anniversary celebrations by investing in the children who are the future of our community.”
The education foundations will each be empowered to use their funds to best meet the needs of local students. Programs facilitated by the Spark Campaign will help ensure that students not only have high quality facilities, teachers, and curricula, but also the resources to nurture creativity, aid students in times of struggle, encourage them to strive for personal success, and allow them to thrive in the classroom and the community.
To learn more about the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore or the Spark campaign visit CFES.org/Spark.
Worcester County Education Foundation board members receive $80,035 from the Community Foundation’s Spark campaign. Pictured left to right, top row: Todd Ferrante; Bill Gordy; Greg Shockley; Lou Taylor, Superintendent Worcester County Public Schools; Ray Thompson, Foundation Chair; Jim Thomas, CFES Chair; Susan Trimble; Melissa Reid; Chris Woodley. Bottom row: Al “Hondo” Handy; Annette Wallace; Toni Keiser; Hope Palmer.
Wicomico County Education Foundation board members receive $77,229.89 from the Community Foundation’s Spark campaign. Pictured left to right, first row (seated): Donna Hanlin Superintendent, Wicomico County Public Schools; Susan Purnell, WCEF Chair; Erica Joseph, CFES President. Standing: WCEF board members Samantha Scott; Jayme Hayes; Jessica Eisemann; Margy Meeks; Melodie Carter; Jeanette Taylor; Drew Getty; Chip Dashiell; Christi Levintini; Mike Dunn.
