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Seated, from left: Jermichael Mitchell, Elizabeth Lewis, Rosa Williams and Irene Katradis. Standing, from left: Maryland State Delegate Charles J. Otto, Jack Parker, Cody Wehlan, ShoreCorps/PALS Program Coordinator Lynn Rising, Deonte Harrell, Shirley Lake, Billy Conry, ShoreCorps/PALS Project Director Dr. George Whitehead, ShoreCorps/PALS Administrative Assistant Christine Aument, and Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism Director Barbara Reynolds. Not pictured: members Sean Harding, Laurin McNiff and Winfield Whittington.

SALISBURY, MD---ShoreCorps/PALS (Partnership for Adolescents on the Lower Shore), the AmeriCorps program at Salisbury University, recently celebrated the accomplishments of its members during its annual recognition ceremony.

Twelve members were honored for their year of service with local organizations and agencies in Wicomico, Dorchester, Caroline and Talbot counties. They include: Billy Conry of Pocomoke City, MD; Deonte Harrell, Jermichael Mitchell, Jack Parker, Winfield Whittington and Cody Wehlan of Salisbury; Shirley Lake of Federalsburg, MD; Elizabeth Lewis of St. Michaels, MD; Irene Katradis of Germantown, MD; Laurin McNiff of Quantico, MD; Sean Harding of Bowie, MD; and Rosa Williams of Upper Marlboro, MD.

Special guests presenting remarks included Maryland Delegate Charles J. Otto (District 38A — Somerset and Wicomico counties), who keynoted the celebration. Otto is a long-time advocate of community service and volunteerism, with a strong background in both. Barbara Reynolds, director of the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism, also addressed the gathering, describing her office’s work and highlighting the impact of AmeriCorps service in Maryland.

ShoreCorps/PALS started its service to the community in 1995, the year after AmeriCorps was founded. The program is committed to providing members and sites with excellent service and an attitude of “getting things done.”

Members serve in positions providing mentoring, homework assistance, conflict resolution; emergency preparedness and health education programs; establishing peer support groups; conducting community outreach activities; and recruiting volunteers to support project activities.

This year members provided assistance to over 12,000 youth on the Eastern Shore. They recruited and managed over 1,200 volunteers who served over 3,400 hours in their communities.

“I continue to be impressed with the dedication of AmeriCorps members to the Eastern Shore community,” said Dr. George Whitehead, project director.

Community partners for 2012-2013 included the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center in Easton, MD; Drug Free Caroline Coalition in Denton, MD; Mid-Shore Community Mediation in Cambridge, MD; and Stop the Violence, the Village of Hope, the Salisbury Zoological Park, the Wicomico Mentoring Project, Junior Achievement, Fruitland Primary School, Kids of Honor and SU’s Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Wicomico County.

ShoreCorps/PALS is currently recruiting community partners and new members. For more information call 410-543-6137 or visit the organization’s web site at www.salisbury.edu/americorps.