Anita Kay Honored with People’s Choice Award and $5,000 Endowment for Commission on Aging
The Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. has awarded Anita Kay, as a part of the 23rd Annual People’s Choice Awards, with the Volunteer Award. The intimate ceremony took place among Kay’s family and friends at the Washington County Commission on Aging.
This prestigious award honors individuals from the community who give generously of their time and talents to make Washington County a better place to live. In her honor, the Community Foundation created a $5,000 endowment fund, which she’s chosen to title the Anita Kay Commission on Aging Fund.
Kay, 70, a former teacher at various Washington County public schools for 39 years, has been an active volunteer with the Commission on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program since 2012. She also volunteers for Hagerstown Community College, and many other organizations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, Anita helped to make friendly check-in calls and delivered 30-pound bags of food and hygienic supplies (like toilet paper, soap, hand sanitzers) to vulnerable seniors.
“Not only does volunteering help improve the lives of others, it also helps the volunteer stay active, mentally positive, and keeps the brain cells healthy,” said Kay.
Commission on Aging Guardianship Care Manager Susan Hurd said, emotionally, “we need more people like Anita in our communities. She’s such a good friend to everybody… We are thrilled, and blessed to know her.
”Regarding the newly-created Anita Kay Commission on Aging Fund, Community Foundation President & CEO Stacey Crawford added, “this endowment will provide support to the Commission on Aging, in perpetuity, in Anita’s name, so that every year, they’ll get a check.”
“It’s like an awakening. You just don’t know the need that’s out there, you know? And I enjoy it,” exclaimed Anita while receiving her award.