Chesapeake City Ecumenical Association (CCEA)

Christians United in Service to the Community

Registered 501(c)3


The Founders' Scholarship Fund for Adult Continuing Education was established in partnership with Cecil College in August of 2008. Funding is dependent solely on the generosity of CCEA donors. The scholarship is awarded to an adult currently in or returning to the workforce. Cecil College seeks those now serving or has served in a volunteer capacity. This scholarship is awarded annually as funds permit.

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2023

2020

2019

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Today, on Sept. 11, 2019 I had the honor of being one of the representatives for the CCEA at the Cecil College Annual Scholarship Breakfast. It was during my tenure as President of the CCEA that our scholarship partnership with Cecil College began. The CCEA also had present Eileen Viars, the current Vice President and also a President Emeritus and Barbara Buck, daughter of Robert “Bud” McKee, one of the founders of The Chesapeake City Ecumenical Association.

 

The annual breakfast is an event which brings together donors and recipients. It is the prime opportunity for learning more and putting faces to where the scholarships go. We also learn the backstories of our recipients. This year was no exception, but it was an exceptionally great morning! We were seated with 5 students, who ranged in age and course studies.  Robert is a 1st year student who is studying Computer Science; Danielle is a 2nd year student, married with a 4 year old daughter and she is in the nursing program; Stephanie (our recipient) is also married with a 24 year old son and 14 year old daughter and she is completing her pre-requisite courses to go into nursing and lastly Andrew is an employee of the Cecil County Board of Health, who is finishing up some required sciences courses relating to his field. The Cecil College representative at our table was Mary, Director of Human Resources. She and her husband relocated to Delaware from Staten Island, NY. They have 2 children, ages 4 and 1 1/2 .

 

Our group was diverse, the conversation was lively. I was most impressed with each of the students, all of whom were deeply grateful for the financial support received-no matter the size of the dollar value. The financial support received thru the scholarships enables them to continue their education, to dream bigger-with less financial worry and to know there is a whole community of people who are wishing them well! And each of these table guests was equally interested in The CCEA.

 

I share this with you because I want you to know what a difference each dollar we receive makes. The Founders Scholarship honors Bud McKee, Dolly Brown and will eventually (but hopefully not too soon) include Ella Luff-each key contributor to the beginnings of the CCEA and the growing list of ministries. When you consider how you can best distribute funds you intend to donate, please consider the CCEA and the many ministries they oversee. If your heart is towards education-consider designating those funds towards the Scholarship Program.

 

Lastly, thank you for allowing me the honor and privilege of attending this event each year as one of your representatives. Bud was my mentor, this Association remains near and dear to my heart and these moments to put faces and stories to those we seek to help-is why “this is a life time commitment.”

 

Deborah Forsythe

President Emeritus