OCEAN CITY — Peck and Patti Miller have called Ocean City home for over 37 years. During that time, they opened and ran multiple businesses while bringing up three daughters. Their daughters were educated in the Worcester County Public School system.
Today, the Miller girls enjoy successful careers in New York City, Charleston, S.C. and San Francisco, Calif.
“We contribute much of our girls’ success to the excellent education they received in the Worcester County Schools,” said Patti Miller. “We are grateful for their education and we’ve finally found a way to give back to the fantastic teachers and schools that have played a part in their success.”
The Millers have become the latest “Champions of Education” with a $10,000 donation to the Worcester County Education Foundation.
Patti Miller is also an active member and one of the founders of the Worcester County Education Foundation (WCEF). The WCEF was formed by a group of concerned parents and business leaders who believe that in order for Worcester County students to graduate fully prepared to function in the new digital college environment or to compete for the jobs of tomorrow.
“We must provide the necessary learning tools, today,” said WCEF Vice Chair Greg Shockley.
The 501(c)3 foundation goals include soliciting private funds that can be used to offset budgetary gaps during lean economic times. In addition, funds will be used to accelerate the purchase and distribution of appropriate digital devices so that every student in Worcester County K-12 will have equal access to a World Class Education. Funding will also be used for financial assistance for students who are less fortunate and finally, teacher’s grants will be available on an annual basis, for the purchase of innovative programs and teaching tools. The WCEF will also fund an endowment that will grow and become a perpetual funding source for future needs of Worcester County students and teachers.
The foundation is asking community organizations, businesses, offices and individuals to consider becoming a Champion of Education over the next five years, with an annual charitable gift, helping to meet the $5 million goal. All proceeds will go directly to support the digital conversion of schools, to offer financial assistance (covering fees for students who are less fortunate), to offer annual teacher grants so they may purchase their own innovative learning tools as well as fund an endowment that creates a perpetual resource that can be used to fill funding gaps for the future needs of student and teachers.
“Looking back at the level of excellence our girls experienced, the teachers, the administration who created and the safe, healthy school environment, we know that all of these things contributed to the success and happiness that our girls enjoy today,” Peck Miller said. “Our hope is that our investment today will help perpetuate great education and success for others in our county.”
Visit www.wced.foundation to learn more about the effort.