Immediate Past President Jamie Reidy, left, presents a ceremonial check for $30,000 to be paid over 10 years from the La Plata Rotary for trades scholarships to, from left, CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried, Development Director Chelsea Brown and CSM Foundation Director and La Plata Rotary member Greg Cockerham. (Submitted photo)
LA PLATA, Md.—As a skilled worker, Jamie Reidy of La Plata, felt strongly that students who are working hard to learn their craft should be assisted with scholarships just as students in degree programs. While president of the La Plata Rotary, Reidy saw an opportunity to use her leadership position to direct funds for scholarships to students at the College of Southern Maryland's Center for Trades and Energy Training.
"The training that trades workers receive resonated with me as a skilled worker in nursing. Although the Rotary has funded trades students at CSM in the past, we wanted to formalize a scholarship that students could count on for many years," said Reidy who is the owner and a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics and women's health at La Plata Pediatrics & Women's Health.
The La Plata Rotary Club Trades and Energy Scholarship was created with an initial gift of $3,000 and will be followed with $3,000 per year over the next nine years for a total of $30,000. Eligible applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, be a resident of Charles County and demonstrate financial need.
"The La Plata Rotary has been a long-time friend to the college and our community. The Rotary's involvement and dedication to the citizens of Charles County shows what leadership and service is about. The CSM Foundation is grateful to have them as a partner," said CSM Vice President of Advancement Michelle Goodwin.
The La Plata Rotary, formed in 1976, brings together business and professional leaders from within the community to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and to help build goodwill and peace in the community. There are more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.
Reidy learned about the organization through a friend and after attending a few monthly meetings sent in an application to join.
"Some Rotary organizations work on national or international projects. Our focus is local with an emphasis on scholarships and education," Reidy said.
One of the perks of becoming Rotary president, is the opportunity to direct projects within the organization's mission that are important to that individual. In addition to the trades scholarship, Reidy worked to bring 25 "Little Libraries" to business and community organizations in Charles County. The Little Libraries provide free reading materials to children and adults in locations that have customer or visitor traffic. There is no library card or check-out required, and readers are asked to return the book that was taken or replace with another.
The organization's main fundraiser is the annual Lobsterfest held at the Charles County Fairgrounds. This year's event will be Oct. 4.
A new Rotary president is chosen every year and the new La Plata Rotary president is Jim Cook.
For information on the La Plata Rotary or the 40th annual Lobsterfest, visit www.laplatarotaryclub.com.
For information on the CSM Foundation and the La Plata Rotary Club Trades and Energy Scholarship, visit www.csmd.edu/Foundation/.
For information on the Center for Trades and Energy Training, visit csmd.edu/WorkforceDevelopment/Construction.html.