Inspired Giving: Winter 2019

WINTER 2019 I n s p i r e dG I V I N GBENEDICTINE FOUNDATION STORIES THAT LEARNING LEGACY INSPIRE FOR LIVING GIVING DONORS SHARE WHY GRANTS FUND WHAT LEGACY THEY GIVE INDEPENDENCE WILL YOU LEAVE?

President's Message As we move into a new year with the opportunity to approach each day with renewed enthusiasm, I want to first reflect on some exciting moments 2018 held for Benedictine. We kicked off the new school year with a special education industry accreditation. We hosted two exceptional golf tournaments, and we enjoyed a night of hospitality at our annual Spring Benefit: A Night in the Wild West.  On campus, we celebrated another successful Chrome City Ride event, now in its 18th year. All of this in addition to countless staff-led events on campus for our students including, Fun Day, Spirit Week, holiday celebrations and some new experiences in the community. Students were able to attend a NASCAR race, see local Broadway productions, and take a trip to the capital – just to name a few. Looking back is always a reminder of how special Benedictine is. From our talented staff and thoughtful volunteers and donors, to the individuals we serve - there is no shortage of inspiration here.  Thinking about those moments of inspiration is exactly what we did when developing our message for the 2018-2019 Annual Fund campaign: Inspired to Give. Inside this issue you will hear from donors reflecting on what inspires them to give. Their testaments are truly heartwarming, and everyone at Benedictine is proud and thankful to call them partners in our mission. You will also learn about how grants are helping to further student access to technology in the school, as well as support capital improvements in many of our group homes. Thank you for following us on our journey to help children and adults with developmental disabilities achieve their greatest potential. I look forward to another year filled with many more inspiring moments. Charley Mills - President, Board of Trustees A visit from the Governor's Office Benedictine’s Advocacy Coalition of the Eastern Shore was honored with a visit by Deputy Chief of Staff, Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio and Eastern Shore Outreach Coordinator, Ryan Snow. Visitors from the Governor’s office spoke with individuals from Benedictine’s Adult Services program regarding the roles they play in their positions, listened to concerns from the disabilities community, and took time for questions. “It’s important to be an advocate for what you believe in,” said Haddaway-Riccio. “By visiting and interacting with Benedictine I’ve learned a lot about the services here and how important the programs are.”

GRANTS FUND INDEPENDENCE  Independence is a dream shared by Benedictine Investment Fund is also helping to make  improvements students and parents alike. Each achievement is a to seven more group homes in the Town of Easton and in step toward that dream becoming a reality. Talbot and Caroline counties. Those improvements include handicap-accessible upgrades to bathrooms and Recent grant awards, supporting improvements to kitchen areas, new roofs and the installation of generators. group homes, employment programs, and new school technology, are helping to enhance “The focus in our residential program is to assist the opportunities for individuals to pursue activities individuals we serve in becoming productive and active more independently. members of their communities,” said Executive Director, Scott Evans. In 2018, Benedictine received a $336,000 grant from the State of Maryland Community TOP LEFT Development Block Grant program, through a partnership with Caroline County, to make capital Mobile car wash team works in the community improvements to 10 group homes in Caroline County.  TOP RIGHT Additional funding through a $100,000 grant Staff and students enjoy a ride on campus award from the Rural Maryland Council Prosperity  BOTTOM LEFT Kathryn uses a Kindle in the School's library BOTTOM RIGHT Pidi cleans up after dinner at Cherry Lane Group home

“We have great staff that work Recently, new technology for TOP RIGHT in our group homes who the school was purchased engage and motivate through a $5,000 grant from Roof repairs at Dutchmans Lane home individuals to learn home-life the Maryland Department of and social skills - these Disabilities Technology BOTTOM improvements will have a Assistance Program. Kindles, huge impact in the lives of iPads, Virtual Reality (VR) Students use tech in School Library individuals we serve.” goggles and educational applications will be used in Specialized seating benefits students Benedictine is also the the library, and are specifically with Sensory Processing Disorder and recipient of a $30,000 grant designed to meet the needs autism, and tricycles provide a from the Grayce B. Kerr Fund. of children with Autism relaxing recreational activity, while These funds have been Spectrum Disorder (ASD). increasing leg strength, coordination designated for micro-business Funds awarded by MDTAP  and balance. projects including the provide independent access purchase of a utility van and to literature via read-aloud necessary supplies for books and other age- Benedictine’s Mobile Car appropriate activities for Wash and Garden Center.  By nearly 100 students. training and employing individuals, Benedictine Additional funding through a based businesses provide job $7,500 grant award from the preparedness so that Freas Foundation will be individuals are ready to allocated for the purchase of achieve employment in the therapeutic classroom seating community. and adaptive tricycles. LEARNING FOR LIVING

L egGacyi ving What legacy will you leave? Do you have a compelling need to make a It enables you to further the good work of an difference, to leave a lasting impact on the organization you support, long after you are gone. people most dear to you and in your With careful planning, your family can also avoid community? paying income taxes on the assets they receive from your estate. It can also help you save estate The search for significance, and the desire to taxes by providing your estate with a charitable plan for the future, may lead you to consider deduction for the value of the gift. what kind of legacy you will leave. A bequest can be created for: any dollar amount, At Benedictine, our legacy of care started nearly for a specific asset (such as your home, artwork or 60 years ago with the revolutionary plan to give coin collection), or to designate a percentage of children and adults with developmental your estate in your will or trust plan. It can also disabilities the chance to learn, live, and explore include what remains after you have provided for their full potential in a loving environment.  your loved ones. Today, that mission has blossomed into much Make a plan more than a school. The impact Benedictine continues to make in children’s lives is only With the help of an advisor, you can include made possible when people decide to invest in language in your will or trust specifying a gift to the individuals we serve here. be made to family, friends or a charity as part of your estate plan. If you have already included A charitable bequest is perhaps the easiest and Benedictine in your estate plan, please let us most tangible way to have a lasting impact on know, we would like to thank you. the people and organizations that mean the most to you. Contact Barry Smale, Director Benedictine Foundation A charitable bequest is written in a will or trust 410-634-2292 or [email protected]. that directs a gift to be made to a qualified charity when you pass. 

STORIES THAT INSPIRE \"Benedictine So many moments provide inspiration here at has given my Benedictine. From watching a student accomplish a daughter the goal, to seeing an individual thrive in their community, kind of life I the positive and nurturing culture here brings joy and couldn't give renewal at the most unexpected times. her. I am so At Benedictine, we have the privilege of working with grateful.\" inspiring people every day – the more than 200 children and adults who amaze us in countless ways despite - Anne S. their challenges. This giving season, we asked our supporters to think of  inspiring moments in their lives with the question: what inspires you to give? The response was heartwarming. Each answer helped tell the story of the impact Benedictine has made in so many lives because of a staff member, a student, a son or a daughter. \"I'm inspired to give because of the wonderful and amazing benefits given to disabled children and adults.\" - Sandra M.

\"Benedictine gives hope to so many families.\" For one donor, it was the special connection made with - Karen S.ERIPSNI Gary, a young man in the Adult Services Program, which inspired her to give. \"..S.AyNDoRAur kindness toward my Seeing the day-to-day challenges Gary and the other individuals here face, along with the incredible sacrifices nephew, Gabe, made by their families, Mrs. Merrick donated $50,000 to inspires me.\" establish the Spencer Merrick III Family Endowment in memory of her husband, Spencer and daughter, Lynne. - Diane B. Her gift will generate annual interest that will continue to support various Adult Services programs. Mrs. Merrick has been a devoted supporter of \"...the great Benedictine for a number of years, and in addition to community and this significant endowment gift, she continues to be an care Benedictine advocate for our students and adults, both personally gives to my son, and in her own community. NAME Zach.\" This year, Mrs. Merrick engaged the bridge club at her retirement community in a Christmas card project. They all hand-wrote a personal holiday greeting on dozens of cards for residents of our group homes, to brighten their NAMhEoliday. - Matthew H. \"Our students when their creativity shines.\" - Julie H. \"We love you!\" - John & Pat K.

PHOTOS Around Benedictine Take a look at what we've been up to on campus and in the community... Top right: Annual Fun Day on campus included dancing Bottom right: Hospitality Class students learn restaurant prep skills Top left: Benedictine Adult Services program hosts on campus job fair and conducts interviews Bottom left: Hospitality Class students learn event set up at The Tidewater Inn in Easton, Md.

Traveling life's journey using a different road map. Top left: Direct Support Professional Week is celebrated Top right: Annual Benedictine Charity Golf Classic in October raises over $31K Middle left: During National Disabilities Employment Bottom right: Gaffney Shepherd receives Awareness Month, Secretary of the Maryland the Maryland Rehabilitation Association's Mary E. Department of Disabilities, Carol Beatty, visits to Switzer Distinguished Service Award, in recognize Homestead Manor in Denton, Md., & The recognition of her achievements in advancing Home Depot in Annapolis for their inclusive work equal employment opportunities for individuals efforts. with disabilities. Bottom left: Chesapeake Boat Club sponsored students to participate in the Talbot Street - Christmas in St.Michael's parade.

2019 CALENDAR JUNE MAY 10 3-4 CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT SPRING BENEFIT The Country Club at Woodmore The Tidewater Inn Mitchellsville, Maryland Easton, Maryland OCTOBER JULY 18 28 CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC CHROME CITY RIDE Talbot Country Club 18th Annual Ride for the Kids! Easton, Maryland Benedictine Campus

BENEDICTINE  RAEY LACSIF by the numbers

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