People’s Choice Awards

In 2000, the Community Foundation established the annual People’s Choice Awards as a way to honor the unsung heroes who give generously and unselfishly of their time, talents and abilities to improve the quality of life in Washington County.

The prestigious Volunteer Award honors individuals from the community who give generously of their time and talents to make Washington County a better place to live. In addition, the Community Foundation will establish $5,000 endowment funds in each winner’s name for the local nonprofit of their choice.

The Rising Star award honors an individual from the community who demonstrates a commitment to volunteer service. In their honor, a $1,000 contribution is made to the charity (or charities) of their choosing.

2024 Volunteer Award Winners

  • Carla Charles

    Volunteer Award

  • TBD - Stay Tuned!

    Volunteer Award

  • TBD - Stay Tuned!

    Volunteer Award

2023 Winner

Volunteer Awards:
Sue Graff
William “Bill” Hatton & Jeanne Doney
Ron Zello

2022 Winners

Volunteer Awards:
Anita Kay
Becky Hein
Richard Wilson
Rising Star Award: Erin Clark

2021 Winners

Volunteer Awards:
Carol Brashears
Dave and Sue Dorsey
Paulie Ward
Rising Star Award:
Zane Schreiber

2020 Winners

Volunteer Awards:
Jamie Blackwood
Brent Feight
Carrol Lourie
Rising Star Award:
Stephanie Nalley

2019 Winners

Volunteer Awards:
Evelyn Eichelberger
Paul Kadin
Ira “Junior” Moats
Rising Star Award:
Kandace Carpenter

2018 Winners

Nonprofit Shining Star Award: Buck Browning
People’s Choice Nonprofit Award: Washington County Commission on Aging
Rising Star Award: Cort Meinelschmidt
People’s Choice Volunteer Award: June Datum, June Datum Endowment Fund for the Maryland Theatre

2017 Winners

Nonprofit Shining Star Award: Deb Cohill
People’s Choice Nonprofit Award: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County
Rising Star Award: Sam Buhrman
People’s Choice Volunteer Award: Jackie Fouche, Mount Hope Prison Ministry Endowment Fund

2016 Winners

Nonprofit Shining Star Award: Jodie Ostoich
People’s Choice Nonprofit Award: Humane Society of Washington County
Rising Star Award: Kelsi Palmer
People’s Choice Volunteer Award: Will Godwin, Therapeutic Gardens at the Western Maryland Hospital Center

2015 Winners

Blanton Croft, Meals on Wheels
Ernest Truax, Hancock Rescue Squad
Gary Weaver, Big Brothers Big Sisters

2014 Winners

Sue Fiedler, Meritus Healthcare Auxiliary
Barb Jacob, The Maryland Theatre
Bette Nicholas, St. Ann Roman Catholic Church
Rising Star: Heather Guessford

2013 Winners

B. Marie Byers, Discovery Station
Darce Easton, Miller House
Richard Schnurr, Potomac Center Volunteer Association
Rising Star: Brenna Bacon Ranieli

2012 Winners

James Marshall, REACH, Inc.
Ronald Wayne Taylor, HCC Amphitheater
Noel Williams, Williamsport Interact

2011 Winners

Patricia Beard, Discovery Station
Charles Koontz, DeafNet
Robert “Buck” Shipley, Habitat for Humanity

2010 Winners

William Bulla, REACH, Inc.
Dan and Debbie Murphy, Hancock Christmas for Others
Ernest “Bub” Snodderly, Potomac Center Volunteer Association

2009 Winners

Dr. Dan McDougal, Community Free Clinic*
Howard Rockwell, Rockwell Fund for Breast Cancer Awareness of Cumberland Valley
Beth Stouffer, Doleman Black History Museum Endowment Fund

2008 Winners

Rev. Janice Dorsey, Bill Dorsey Scholarship for BISFA
J. Gilbert Everline, Hagerstown Union Rescue Mission
Jerry Overdorff, Habitat for Humanity

2007 Winners

William K. “Bill” Beard, Home Ramp Project Fund
Daniel Fleming, Hancock Scouting Fund
Blaine Snyder, Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum

2006 Winners

Anna Mary Kline, Williamsport Food Bank
Sharon Mattingly, Funkstown Elementary PTA
Robert McCusker, Hancock Historical Society

2005 Winners

Hugh Brandenburg, Western Maryland Hospital Auxiliary
John Long, Humane Society of Washington County
Rollan “Ron” Myers, The ARC of Washington County

2004 Winners

N. Linn Hendershot, Many Individuals Helping Individuals (MIHI)
Anne Hinkle, Western Maryland Hospital Auxiliary
James and Ethel Martin, REACH, Inc.*

2003 Winners

Florence Hill Graff, Community Free Clinic*
Janet Newcomer, Community Free Clinic*
Connie Pauley, Turning Point

2002 Winners

Vivian Hackman, REACH Fund for the Homeless*
William H. “Mac” McClean, The ARC of Washington County
Ralph “Coach” Stottlemyer, Scholarship Fund, South High

2001 Winners

Cindi Messersmith, REACH, Inc.*
Charles Rowe, Sr., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County
Jean Wainwright, Food Resources

2000 Winners

Mildred Fiery, Girls, Inc. & Western Maryland Hospital
Dorothy Truax, Clear Spring Elementary PTA
Betty Willson, Social Help Center

 

*As three honorees chose to benefit the Community Free Clinic, the name of this fund has been changed to the Community Free Clinic People’s Choice Awards Fund. Five honorees have chosen REACH, and thus five $5,000 gifts have been made to the existing REACH Endowment.