|
It may have taken several years, but Hugh Reynolds’ promise to his mother-in-law was finally fulfilled with the creation of the Reynolds/Cristiano Fund at the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.
Back in 2003 Mr. Reynolds made a promise to his mother-in-law to provide annual financial support to an orphanage in Naples, Italy. The orphanage was dear to her because she herself was an orphan and had been raised by this orphanage.
When Mr. Reynolds tried to find the exact orphanage where his mother-in-law had been raised, he was disappointed to learn that it no longer existed. He quickly decided to find a similar organization in the designated area and began communicating with the former director of the orphanage, Mariarosario Russo.
Mr. Reynolds’ desire to help the children of the particular area of Italy was met with Mariarosario’s plans to establish a new after-school program for poor families in the Campania Region.
“I am thrilled that I am able to keep my promise. Mariarosario is a wonderful woman, full of energy and love for these children,” says Hugh Reynolds. “This fulfills my mother-in-law’s wish to help needy children.”
On a recent visit to the United States, Mariarosario was excited to meet with Mr. & Mrs. Reynolds at their Easton home. “These children are so special and it is wonderful to have a helping hand all the way from the States.”
The Mid-Shore Community Foundation (MSCF) made it all possible for Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds.
“We researched the procedures and documentation needed for an international grant and were able to set up an appropriate fund,” reports Robbin Hill, director of Foundation Programs. “E-mails were flying back and forth in English and Italian!”
The Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s mission is to promote and facilitate philanthropy in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties. The MSCF works with individuals, families and organizations to help them achieve their charitable goals, ensuring that they receive the most benefits from their contributions and that their contributions are used cost-effectively for maximum impact for perpetuity.
Since 1992, the MSCF has managed hundreds of donations on behalf of their donor-clients, distributing millions in charitable gifts primarily to the Mid-Shore community.
Now, through the expertise of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, the children in a small after-school program in Italy are feeling the effects of one woman’s dream, and one man’s promise to fulfill that dream. |
