The Philanthropists of the Year awards were renamed the WE ARE CARROLL AWARDS in 2025 to showcase the wonderful giving spirit of Carroll County, past, present, and future, from both within the Community Foundation of Carroll County and the greater community.
We Are Carroll Awards Class of 2025 All Stars | View Full Awards Program
RISING STAR: My Caring Paws | View Award Video
ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY: Dream Big Union Bridge | View Award Video
BFF (Business, Family, Friend of Fund): Herbert Zeigler, Jr. from Brian Safe Haven | View Award Video
LIVING LEGACY: Edward Leister | View Award Video
PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR: Dave Bond nominated by Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County | View Award Video
Check out the 2025 We Are Carroll Awards wrap-up blog featuring The Baltimore Sun article.
Class of 2024 Honorees | View Awards Program
RISING STAR: Bee a Rae of Sunshine Foundation | View Award Video
ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY: September Song Musical Theater | View Award Video
BFF (Business, Family, Friend of Fund): Rev. Dr. Sue Shorb-Sterling for Westminster Youth Project | View Award Video
LIVING LEGACY: Mrs. Patricia Mack-Preston, Co-Founder, Appy Time for Learning | View Award Video
Class of 2023 Honorees
RISING STAR: Action for Kindness | View Award Video
ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY: Rita’s Closet/The Rita Medeiros Scholarship | View Award Video
BFF (Business, Family, Friend of a Fund): Mr. Joe Dominick for Ellsworth Cemetery | View Award Video
LIVING LEGACY: Ms. Diane Jones, Director Emeritus, Children’s Chorus of Carroll County | View Award Video
Class of 2022 Honorees
ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY: The Feather Fund
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT: Mr. Bill Murphy, Friends of Disabled Veterans in Carroll County
RISING STAR: Find Your Purpose, Inc.
12th Annual Winners (2018)
INDIVIDUAL: Sargent Major Thomas S. Beyard of Westminster, the highest ranking noncommissioned officer in the MD National Guard.
BUSINESS: Quantum Internet | Johanna & William Brown
NON-PROFIT: The Boys and Girls Club of Westminster
YOUTH: Lauren Jenna of Westminster High School
FAMILY: Josh & Matt Kohn | Kohn Creative
11th Annual Winners (2017)
INDIVIDUAL: Mr. John Staehlin
BUSINESS: Terry’s Tag & Title | Teresa Smack
NON-PROFIT: GFWC Woman’s Club of Westminster
YOUTH: Diana Grace Welliver of Westminster, MD
LEGACY: The Kahlert Foundation | Mr. & Mrs. Greg Kahlert
10th Annual Winners (2016)
INDIVIDUAL: Mrs. Nancy McCormick
BUSINESS: Gizmo’s Art | Lyndi McNulty
NON-PROFIT: Toop’s Troops
YOUTH: Mary Guest, North Carroll High School
Legacy: Sylvia Canon Haines
9th Annual Winners (2015)
INDIVIDUAL: Dr. Faye Pappalardo
FAMILY: Marcus Lee & Louna Primm
BUSINESS: Dutch Corner Restaurant & Owner, Susan Rill
LEGACY AWARD: Dr. Charles L. Billingslea
NON-PROFIT: Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc.
YOUTH: Daniel Welliver
8th Annual Winners (2014)
INDIVIDUAL: Ms. Betsey Baker
BUSINESS: Barnes-Bollinger Insurance Services
LEGACY AWARD: Mr. & Mrs. Charles Fisher, Sr. (Postumous)
NON-PROFIT: Mr. John Sernulka / Carroll Hospital Center
YOUTH: Miss Margo Huffman
7th Annual Winners (2013)
FAMILY: Mr. William “Bill” Gavin
BUSINESS: Shop with a Cop / Westminster Wal-Mart / Westminster Police
LEGACY AWARD: Mr. C.J. “Buck” Miller
NON-PROFIT: Carroll Child Care Centers, Inc.
YOUTH: Carly Weetman
6th Annual Winners (2012)
FAMILY: Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ferguson
BUSINESS: Just Desserts By Linda
LEGACY AWARD: Martin K.P. & Kelly W. Hill
NON-PROFIT: The Rotary Club of Westminster, MD
YOUTH: Matthew Korotki
5th Annual Winners (2011)
FAMILY: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bare
BUSINESS: Carroll County Times
LEGACY AWARD: Msgr. Arthur Valenzano
NON-PROFIT: Arc of Carroll County
YOUTH: Josie Grant
4th Annual Winners (2010)
FAMILY: Skip & Pat Amass
BUSINESS: Lehigh Cement
LEGACY AWARD: Loring “Chips” B. Yingling
NON-PROFIT: Westminster Lions Club
YOUTH: Chris Anderson
3rd Annual Winners (2009)
FAMILY: The Kirkner Family & The Shipley Family
BUSINESS: WTTR
NON-PROFIT: The Shepherd’s Staff
YOUTH: Allyson Harmon
2nd Annual Winners (2008)
FAMILY: Robert & Carolyn Scott
BUSINESS: Stewart N. Dutterer Flower Shop, Inc.
NON-PROFIT: Mission of Mercy
YOUTH: Derrick Woolfson
1st Annual Winners (2007)
FAMILY: The Tevis Family
BUSINESS: S.H. Tevis, Inc.
NON-PROFIT: Anverse, Inc.
YOUTH: Kevin Costin
Class of 2023 Honorees
RISING STAR: Action for Kindness | View Award Video
ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY: Rita’s Closet/The Rita Medeiros Scholarship | View Award Video
BFF (Business, Family, Friend of a Fund): Mr. Joe Dominick for Ellsworth Cemetery | View Award Video
LIVING LEGACY: Ms. Diane Jones, Director Emeritus, Children’s Chorus of Carroll County | View Award Video
