SARC Hires New Development Director; Gives Out Awards At Annual Meeting

From SARC:

SARC Hires New Development Director Patricia Foss-Bennie

Patricia Foss-Bennie, CAE, CMP, was hired recently as SARC director of development. Ms. Foss-Bennie will be responsible for fundraising for SARC as well as for managing several development-related events for the agency.

Prior to her employment with SARC, Foss-Bennie served as vice president for strategic relations for the North Dakota Farm Bureau (NDFB) with responsibilities for building strategic partnerships with agribusiness. During her tenure with NDFB, Foss-Bennie worked with the Board of Directors to raise over $150,000 to help victims of the 2009 flooding across the state. NDFB is a voluntary membership not-for-profit serving over 26,000 farmers and ranchers in North Dakota.

Before joining the staff of NDFB, Foss-Bennie worked for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), based in Newark, DE, as director of conventions and meetings and later, director of professional development. While at PMA, Foss-Bennie earned her certifications as Certified Association Executive and Certified Meeting Professional. Foss-Bennie spent 14 years at PMA. The Produce Marketing Association is an international association serving the produce industry with over 3,000 company members.

Foss-Bennie holds a Batchelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, with a specialization in Public Relations and Advertising.

SARC Awards Given Out At Annual Meeting

SARC held its annual meeting and awards ceremony Oct. 21 at the Maryland Golf and Country Club. Among those attending the meeting, held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, were Harford County Executive David Craig, Harford County Council President Billy Boniface, and Council member Mary Ann Lisanti.

Established in 1978, SARC provides a 24-hour helpline, crisis intervention, counseling, a safehouse, community outreach and education and legal advocacy and representation in civil proceedings.

SARC’s Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Bel Air resident Hazel Hopkins. Hazel has been a volunteer with SARC for over three years.

Decisive Data Systems, who generously donates IT support to SARC, received SARC’s Community Partner Award, presented to organizations or individuals donating services or talents for the betterment of the community.

The Hall of Fame Award was given to Centennial Contractors Enterprises and Bronson Shanahan in appreciation for their donation of renovating SARC’s basement level. The Hall of Fame is awarded to any person, organization or business who makes a significant contribution of time, money and/or energy for the advancement of SARC.

Harford Community College got the Business Partner Award, given to businesses supporting SARC’s mission through donations of time and money. The college supports many of SARC’s efforts, events and activities and is represented on SARC’s Board of Directors by Brenda Morrison.

The Aegis was presented the Good Neighbor Award which goes to a person or organization helping SARC work at the grassroots level. The Aegis coverage of SARC’s activities and support for SARC’s mission is invaluable in helping SARC reach out to the community.

Service awards were presented to members of SARC’s staff and board of directors.

SARC is a local non-profit, dedicated to aiding victims of domestic and sexual violence, child abuse and stalking. Services provided include counseling, legal advocacy and representation, a 24-hour helpline, crisis intervention, community education, and a confidentially located safe-house.

For more information about SARC, visit www.sarc-maryland.org or call the 24 hour helpline at 410-836-8431.