LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services received a $159,295 bequest from the late Mary Walters, a former employee and longtime participant at the Loffler Senior Activity Center.
Director Lori Jennings-Harris presented the donation request to the St. Mary’s County Commissioners Tuesday, explaining that Walters designated the funds to benefit older adults in the community. Jennings-Harris said the department plans to develop criteria for distributing the funds, with individual disbursements not to exceed $2,500.
“She has described how she would like to see those funds used for older adults in our community,” Jennings-Harris said. “If the commissioners approve this, we will develop criteria for how we would distribute these funds to individuals and or families.”
The department intends to spread the funds over several years to maximize the impact. Jennings-Harris said potential uses could include assistance with home improvements such as wheelchair ramps, which remain a common and costly need among seniors.
Commissioner Mike Hewitt supported the plan and asked about the process for identifying recipients. Jennings-Harris said the department may use a simple application process and will establish eligibility criteria.
Commissioner Eric Colvin called the bequest “an incredibly generous” act and commended Walters for thinking of others in the community.
Commissioner Scott Ostrow made the motion to approve the funds for use by the Department of Aging and Human Services “solely for the use of the department’s clients, including but not limited to client personal care items, medical needs and minor home improvements, not to exceed $2,500 per client.”
The commissioners unanimously approved the donation’s acceptance.
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