HOSPITALITY ABOUNDS

Fall 2019

Barclay resident David Kaufman has discovered how much

fun it is to volunteer at the YMCA.

He’s found his niche welcoming

people on their way through the lobby to

the gym and pool at the facility in Centre-

ville. He alternates days with his good

friend PJ Quay. Together they are a

formable hospitality team, working to

make YMCA guests know they are

appreciated. David and PJ, friends since

high school and then joining Chester-

wye’s day program in 2006, volunteer

several hours every week.

When it comes to life goals, each

person with a developmental disability

has distinct interests and abilities. Learn-

ing he had been offered the opportunity

to volunteer at the YMCA, David did not

hesitate to accept. He immediately began

to prepare for the role by working with

Chesterwye’s direct support staff to

practice customer friendly greetings like

have a great day!

David uses a wheelchair to assist with his cerebral palsy, and his great smile

speaks to his genuine friendliness to all people regardless of how they get around

or whether or not they have a disability. David enjoys meeting the Y patrons,

many of whom now greet him by name.

Great job David!

David enjoys volunteering at the YMCA. He

is supported throughout the day by

Chesterwye staff, Lisseth Rodriguez.

Organizations with

employment and volunteer

opportunities for people at

Chesterwye should call

employment specialist

Gina Lancaster at

410.827.7048 or email to:

gina@chesterwye.com.

Planning your end-

of-year giving?

Please consider how much

your support will mean to

the people at Chesterwye.

For your convenience,

consider making your

contribution online via

our secure website—

www.chesterwye.com.

You can choose to make

a one time gift, a tribute

gift, or a monthly contribu-

tion. Your generosity will

provide meaningful days

for the people at Chester-

wye. Call 410.827.7048 for

more information.

PHOTO LOIS MILLER

CHESTERWYE PEOPLE & PLACES

What’s Inside Knight receives

MACS Award

In memorium

Amazing Workers

Niles’ Big Adventure

IN MEMORIAM Anthony Lamont Wheatley, 62, a member of

Chesterwye since 2006, died Friday, June 7,

2019 at Kent County Hospice House in Chester-

town. Born June 28, 1949 in Philadelphia,

Anthony enjoyed reading the Bible and socializ-

ing, especially with his Chesterwye housemates.

His family extends appreciation to Chesterwye

for the support Anthony received.

Kimberly Anne McGuire Miller, 53, came to

Chesterwye in 2003. Born August 12, 1965 in

Baltimore, and passed away August 7, 2019 at

Corsica Hills. Kim enjoyed swimming, playing

cards, music and collecting unicorn and rain-

bow memorabilia. She always enjoyed being

around children. Following a memorial service,

Kim was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in

Pasadena, MD.

“It is his many additional

volunteer activities which

continually demonstrate his

regard for the people supported

as well as the employees of

Chesterwye,” writes executive

director Debra Langseth about

Jim Knight’s commitment as a

volunteer and board member

for the Chesterwye Center.

Jim was recognized along

with honorees from across

Maryland at the annual MACS

volunteer awards dinner and

ceremony held at Mike’s Crab

House in Riva, MD on June 18.

MACS is a private nonprofit

organization dedicated to

strengthening agencies to better

support people with develop-

mental disabilities and their

families in their own

communities.

Jim has volunteered with

Chesterwye for nearly two

decades, serving as Chairman

and Vice Chairman of the

Board of Directors and

continues as a member-at-large.

He also volunteers for the

Chesterwye Foundation as a

member of the dinner auction

committee.

The

Queenstown

resident

finds many

ways to help

Chesterwye.

He regularly

visits

Chester-

wye’s houses

to determine

maintenance

and safety

issues. His

contribution

to the annual

Ewing dinner auction

generates fierce bidding for

the 52-weeks of farm fresh

eggs and, when he organizes a

community bake sale, his pies

and cakes fly off the table.

Working with other board

members, he helps cook and

serve a hot breakfast at the

annual appreciation breakfast

for Chesterwye’s day and

residential staff. Without

exception, Jim Knight is an

effective ambassador for the

people at Chesterwye.

Thank you Jim

VOLUNTEER EXTRAORDINAIRE

PHOTO COURTESY MACS

Jim Knight receives volunteer award presented by Lauren Howell,

left, executive director of MACS and Dr. Monica McCall,

president of the MACS Board of Directors.

Direct support professionals (DSP) enable people

with developmental disabilities to lead self-directed

lives. The annual DSP appreciation breakfast in

September is held to recognize the amazing work of

the Chesterwye’s direct support staff.

Chesterwye employs 100 full and part-time workers

to support the daily living of people in their homes and

out in the community. DSPs are the foundation of the

health, safety and happiness of the men and women in

Chesterwye’s residential and day programs.

DSPs wear numerous hats to meet the multifaceted

job requirements: certified medical technician, person-

al assistant, nutritionist, chef, driver, party planner,

social secretary—just to name few of the ways staff

support the people at Chesterwye.

The annual DSP appreciation breakfast is held

during the national Direct Support Professionals

Recognition week in September. It has become a real

family affair led by Chestewye’s Board of Directors.

Flipping pancakes (above) early that morning were

Board member Richard Thomas, left, and volunteer

Jim McComb. Board members Becky Burner, left, and

Donna Bryant, helped serve the hot breakfast, while

Board member Diane McComb (bottom) made sure

the kitchen was ready for the noon lunch period. Not

pictured but instrumental in the preparation and

serving that morning were volunteers Tim Hoyt and Gene

Burner.

Catherine (Cass) Smith, left, was named Chesterwye’s

DSP of the Year. Cass has been a member of the residential

staff for six years. Among the people Cass helps to support

is an individual who requires full assistance. “Although

[our daughter] is non-verbal, Cass has truly given her a

voice,” stated board member Diane Creed, right, about the

quality of support Cass provides. Pictured with Cass and

Diane is Executive Director Debra Langseth

AMAZING WORKERS!

This summer, Niles Skaggs checked two boxes on his bucket list—both having to do with his appreciation

of machines, especially those associated with transportation. On June 4, only weeks before his 86th birthday,

Niles boarded the Wilmington and Western Railroad, a

freight and heritage railroad, for a 90-minute train ride

over a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad branch

between Wilmington and Hockessin. Niles’ smile and

joking manner kept his fellow travelers chuckling,

and the train ride was, Niles commented, “peachy.”

But that’s not all! As Niles looked forward to his

birthday on August 2, word was spreading about the

other experiences on Niles’ list. At Chesterwye, we see

good things happen for people because of the relation-

ships built by staff

and board members

with their friends

and neighbors.

In Niles’ case,

when a friend of a

friend learned about

his dream, the gener-

ous donor arranged

for the special birthday present—a gift certificate for a one-hour flight over

Kent Island on a Trident Aircraft.

The conditions on August 28 were perfect when Niles boarded the Piper

Warrior at the Easton Airport, along with the Trident pilot Julia Jacobs,

Chestewye direct support staff Bri Collins and Star Democrat reporter Kayla

Rivas. Sitting next to the pilot, Niles even got to fly the plane briefly, as

they flew over Kent Island and Queen Anne’s County. Returning to the

Easton airport, Niles gave a thumbs up in appreciation for the special gift.

Niles still has other dreams on his bucket list. Foremost is to meet Dolly Parton and to visit the Grand

Ole Opry. To help Niles, and other people at Chesterwye, experience their dreams, please contact Lois

Miller at 410.827.7048.

NILES’ BIG ADVENTURE

Niles co-piloted the 1978 Piper Warrior with Trident

Certification Flight Instructor Julia Jacobs. With Niles on

the flight were Chesterwye direct support staff Bri

Collins and Star Democrat reporter Kayla Rivas.

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

Kathy Adams

Wheeler Baker

Marcella Bordley

Rebecca Burner

Donna Bryant

Diane Creed, Secretary

Elaine Curl

Mark Dubel, Vice Chair

Sally Hoyt, Treasurer

Jim Knight

Diane McComb

Stephanie Morris

Bobby Ann Nash

John Smigo, Chairman

Richard Thomas

Tom Walsh, MD

EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR

Debra Langseth

FOUNDATION

DIRECTORS

Wheeler Baker, Chairman

Richard Britt

Elizabeth Brice

Teresa Hammer

Laurie Hawkes

Chad Helfenbein

Ava Honeycutt. Secretary

Carl Morris

John Smigo

David South, Treasurer

The Chesterwye Center

and the Chesterwye

Foundation, private non-

profit organizations, assist

people with intellectual and

developmental disabilities

to live full, meaningful lives.

Contact us at: PO Box 96,

Grasonville, MD 21638,

410.827.7048 or at

www.chesterwye.com.

PHOTO LOIS MILLER

PHOTO JULIA JACOBS