Author: Becky Guschl

In late February 2022, Danielle Ward and Linda McKinnon of Patterson-Schwartz Elkton donned their winter gear and headed out into the elements for a good cause. The air may have been cold, but hearts warmed at the sight of hundreds of individuals running into the frigid Northeast River to raise money for local youth programs.

The annual Cecil County Ice Splash fundraiser is just one of several events Danielle and Linda support as part of their work with the Special Olympics Cecil County (SOCE).

Fitness, Fun, Friendship

As the mother of a child with special needs, Danielle Ward has been active with Special Olympics as an athlete parent for several years. About a year ago, Danielle asked Linda to help with a SOCE fitness day at a local park.

That day about ten kids showed up, as they did every week, to play with hula hoops, take a walk around the park, and otherwise stay active on a chilly day. Linda was touched by the friendships the participants made, and the fun they shared.

Linda and Danielle have been making a difference together ever since.

“Working with Danielle for many years, I have had the pleasure to get to know her amazing family, including her son, Alex,” says Linda. “He is such a special young man, and the stories he tells will keep you laughing. Both of her children and her husband help organize the [Special Olympics] activities and treat every athlete as though they are their own family. It is a blast spending time with them and so fulfilling.”

Creating Opportunities to Grow

The mission of the Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and competition for individuals age eight and older with intellectual disabilities. They believe sports give these athletes continuing opportunities to grow mentally and socially through activities that help them improve physical fitness, gain self-confidence, and discover new abilities and talents.  

Less than a year after first volunteering, Linda joined the SOCE management team alongside Danielle. Recently, the two friends have been working to increase volunteer and athlete activity.

“This once very active organization seemed to lose strength over the past few years,” Danielle says of Special Olympics Cecil County. “In 2021, we began to build it back up by sponsoring seasonal activities like basketball, softball, bocce ball, and health walks, and monthly activities like bowling. In the last month, we hosted a winter dance and sponsored an athlete at the regional competition in Florida. Watching these athletes have fun, compete, and make friends is such a joy. Alex loves being with his friends, no matter the event.”

The Sons of the American Legion’s annual Cecil County Ice Splash raises money for local children and youth programs, including Special Olympics. Patterson-Schwartz was a proud sponsor of the 2022 event alongside Danielle and Linda. To learn how you can get involved in future efforts that benefit the Special Olympics of Cecil County, reach out to Linda or Danielle or click here for more information.

Together we can light the way to a better tomorrow

The PSA Foundation was created in 2001 and supports numerous local charities and organizations whose causes are close to the hearts of the Patterson-Schwartz family of sales associates, employees, and friends. We invite you to learn more about how Patterson-Schwartz is giving back to the communities where we live, work, and play, and to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.

The Elkton Sales Center of Patterson-Schwartz is conveniently located along the Route 40 corridor. Established in 2008, this full-service office has a family of local experts proud to serve the real estate needs in Elkton and the surrounding communities of Cecil County, Maryland.

Q&A with Dave Iliff, Habitat volunteer coordinator for PSA since 2007

In late September 2021, a group of Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate sales associates took a break from selling homes to help build them. It wasn’t the first time members of the Patterson-Schwartz family put on their hard hats and tool belts for Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, but it was a notable one. This most recent volunteer effort marked the first on-site Build Day since the pandemic restrictions set in early 2020 were lifted.  

No one could be more proud to be back building homes than Dave Iliff. This Patterson-Schwartz Hockessin sales associate has been coordinating our local volunteer efforts for Habitat for Humanity since 2007.

Hey Dave, how did Patterson-Schwartz get involved with Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County?

I remember PSA got involved in a one-time Habitat for Humanity Build Day, and I think a year or so may have passed, but I still vividly recalled the joy I felt volunteering that day. I thought it would be a great thing for us to become more involved on a regular basis.

I have organized about 20 volunteer efforts over the years. And, even though we don’t do it for the recognition, I was proud to accept the Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Partnership through Volunteerism on behalf of Patterson-Schwartz in 2019.

Who benefits from the services that Habitat provides?

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County builds affordable, well-constructed homes and provides interest-free loans. The homeowners-to-be, who are often trying to overcome hardships, are provided with financial education and required to work on the sites and help with the fundraising events. There is a great sense of achievement in the work they must do to qualify, and lives truly change with the help of Habitat.

I remember attending the groundbreaking and dedication ceremony of a site at Walnut Ridge in 2015. It was raining, and a young single mom who was to be one of the new homeowners gave an emotional speech at the podium. She spoke about where she had been in her life and how grateful she was to have her own home and a fresh start for her family. I will never forget that day and how she spoke from the heart. I think everyone present had tears in their eyes. I was grateful to be there for it.

What is the job of a Habitat volunteer?

As a volunteer on Build Days, you don’t necessarily need to have any skills in building. There is always something for everyone to do, and Habitat for Humanity provides all of the tools necessary for each build phase. You can even learn some new skills while on the job!

It’s not all about building. We have also volunteered with a Habitat for Humanity program known as “A Brush with Kindness,” which helps communities restore their homes and common areas. The jobs associated include anything from painting and landscaping to repairing screen doors, weather sealing homes, and more.

Why is it good to volunteer on Build Days?

In addition to helping the local community and contributing to a worthy cause, volunteering is fun! You really get to know your colleagues and fellow build mates. This last group consisted of a lot of newer PSA faces from across the company as well as some repeat volunteers. The work really appeals to everyone, and we had a great day making memories.

I have seen real passion and dedication in the people who fulfill the Habitat mission, and they are a great organization with which to partner. Whatever the job, our volunteers come away from the experience feeling inspired and proud of the work they’ve accomplished.

Together we can light the way to a better tomorrow

The PSA Foundation was created in 2001 and supports numerous local charities and organizations whose causes are close to the hearts of the Patterson-Schwartz family of sales associates, employees, and friends. We invite you to learn more about how Patterson-Schwartz is giving back to the communities where we live, work, and play, and to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.

As a long-term care facility for disabled adults, The Mary Campbell Center strives to be a place where a resident’s independence is enhanced, family members are always welcome, and comfort and safety are paramount. The Mary Campbell Center is as unique and special to the local area as it is to those who benefit from its homelike environment. And for two members of the Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate family, the facility and its mission are especially close to heart and home.

Filling a need

Since the mid-1980s, Steve Crifasi of Patterson-Schwartz Greenville has been a member of the committee that organizes The Center’s largest annual fundraiser, The Charmie Welch Golf Tournament. For Steve, who is now co-chairman of this fundraising effort, his involvement is a family affair with roots in friendship.

Charmie Welch, the golf tournament’s namesake, was a little girl when she developed a life-altering disability. When her medical needs became too difficult to manage at home, her parents were dismayed to learn the only care options were nursing homes. Their struggle to find the perfect place for their daughter inspired the creation of The Mary Campbell Center.

In addition to Charmie’s parents, seven founders came together to bring The Center to life in north Wilmington in 1976. Bill Davis, a dear friend of the Welch family and Steve Crifasi’s father-in-law, was on the original golf committee in 1981. With his help, The Mary Campbell Center has grown every year due to the tournament’s success.

“My father-in-law inspired my involvement, and the tradition continues with his son, Bill Davis Jr., me, and my son, Steve Jr.,” says Steve.

“The Mary Campbell Center truly is a phenomenal facility that helps many individuals and families, but its needs are constantly evolving. I am proud of all of our fundraising efforts and grateful for the unwavering support we’ve had from sponsors like Patterson-Schwartz. Over the years we have been able to help The Center reach many goals, including the construction of an indoor wheelchair-accessible pool.”

Surrounded by support

Another member of the PSA family personally connected to The Mary Campbell Center is Hockessin sales manager, Sal Sedita. Sal’s daughter, Sarah, has been a resident at The Center for over 15 years.

“Every parent worries about who will take care of their child if they are gone or unable to do so,” says Sal. “This becomes a much more ‘real’ situation when you have a son or daughter who will need full-time care for their entire life.”

When Sarah completed school at age 21, Sal and his wife looked at multiple options where Sarah could live as an adult, but nothing felt right. Sarah had received respite care at The Mary Campbell Center before and the exceptional experience gave the whole family good feelings. Expecting to be on a waitlist of a year or longer, they consider themselves very fortunate that The Center had an opening for Sarah almost immediately.

“I compare The Center to a fraternity or sorority: a big home where she is surrounded by friends and people who care for her, care about her, and love her for her,” says Sal.

“Every day, I am thankful for The Center, and the peace of mind it gives us knowing she is so safe and so happy. To have such a special facility so close to home where we can visit anytime is one of my biggest blessings in a very blessed life.”

Teeing it up to give back

Throughout the years, members of the PSA family have gathered in support of Sal, Steve, and The Mary Campbell Center. The Center has been a frequent beneficiary of the Hockessin office’s annual soup fundraiser and the recipient of all the proceeds raised at the 2018 PSA Guest Bartender event. Corporately, Patterson-Schwartz has donated holiday trees and lunches to the facility and returns year after year as a sponsor of the Charmie Welch Golf Tournament.

On September 13, 2021, the Charmie Welch Golf Tournament will be celebrating its 40th year. Like past years, Steve and Sal will team up in support not only as sponsors and colleagues but also as friends hitting the links for a good cause: they have been playing the tournament together as part of the PSA foursome for as long as either can remember.

To learn more about this year’s tournament (which includes a drone golf ball drop raffle open to the public) and how you can support The Mary Campbell Center mission, please click here.

Together we can light the way to a better tomorrow

The PSA Foundation was created in 2001 and supports numerous local charities and organizations whose causes are close to the hearts of the Patterson-Schwartz family of sales associates, employees, and friends. We invite you to learn more about how Patterson-Schwartz is giving back to the communities where we live, work, and play, and to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.