Emergency Fund Established To Help Nonprofit

NEWARK - The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore has established a 'Worcester County Developmental Center Emergency Fund' to assist the nonprofit organization in getting back in operation as soon as possible. The Foundation will match the first $10,000 in donations to the emergency fund from citizens, businesses and organizations on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

The Worcester County Developmental Center's day program facility was destroyed by fire earlier this month.  All money collected in the emergency fund will be turned over to the Developmental Center to be used for immediate needs to help expedite the resumption of services for about 75 disabled clients.

'This matching grant will give residents of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland an opportunity to provide at least $20,000 in financial assistance to the Development Center,' said Spicer Bell, Foundation President.  'It is our hope that this emergency fund will encourage citizens and organizations in the region to respond to this urgently needed financial support to help the Center reopen in temporary facilities,' he added.

June Walker, Executive Director of the Worcester County Developmental Center, said, 'Our main priority is to resume operation of our day program for individuals as soon as possible. We appreciate the support of the Community Foundation and the greater community.'

The Worcester County Developmental Center was established in 1973 and provides developmentally challenged adults with employment training, job placement, counseling, socialization and enrichment programs.

Art Cooley, Community Foundation Board Chair, noted, 'Lower Shore residents have shown time and again their commitment to helping others in need.  We believe this fund is an appropriate way to facilitate a coordinated response from the entire community while the Development Center works to resume services to its clients.'

Cooley added, 'As in the past, we hope the contributions to this fund will once again demonstrate the strong philanthropic spirit of residents in this region.'

Contributions should be mailed to: Worcester County Developmental Center Emergency Fund, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, 1324 Belmont Avenue, Suite 401, Salisbury, Md. 21804. 

For more information about the Community Foundation visit the Foundation's web site at www.cfes.org, or phone 410-742-9911.