The 7th Annual Philanthropy Day Luncheon recognized Roberta Kieliger from Charles County, Margaret Elizabeth Jarboe and the late Dr. Patrick James Jarboe from St. Mary’s County, and the late John Dennis “Denny” Murray from Calvert County for all they do to help make our community a better place to live.
Roberta Kieliger
Roberta Kieliger is a seventeen year breast cancer survivor who was approached in 2007 to create a support group for seniors who would meet during the day. Although Roberta’s initial answer was “no”, in the end she agreed. The support group made up of breast cancer survivors grew to include not just “seniors”, but women of all ages is now called “Sisters At Heart”.
As the members will tell you, each survivor comes to them with a different diagnosis and different story to share. Their purpose is to provide comfort, support and most of all breast cancer awareness. Sisters At Heart has become the go-to resource for men and women who have been either diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone who has. Since inception, the all volunteer member organization, Sisters At Heart is requested to participate in approximately thirty events throughout the year. Annually, they partner with Civista and organize a free Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon for the general public, where they also honor breast cancer survivors.
If your Charles County sports team is accessorized in pink there is a good chance it was provided by the Sisters At Heart. She is committed to teaching everyone the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Prior to moving to Charles County, Roberta volunteered for the St. Mary’s Extension Council, Maryland Extension Homemakers Board, University of Maryland Extension Advisory Council and was instrumental in forming the Fifth District Extension Homemakers Group, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary last year.
John Dennis “Denny” Murray (✞)
The late John Dennis “Denny” Murray was a home builder and real estate developer in Calvert County for over 30 years. Originally from Greenbelt, Maryland, he started Bay Mills Construction Company in 1973 and developed many communities and built many homes for the citizens of Calvert County, making it what it is today. Denny’s ability to motivate others in his community by utilizing his trademark “out of the box” thinking helped solve issues and find solutions to problems that were not the most obvious, but were the most effective.
Denny served on the Board of Directors at Calvert Bank, was a member of the Board of Directors at Calvert Memorial Hospital, served on the Maryland Health Care Commission, was a member and President of the Democratic Central Committee of Calvert County, was a member of Leadership Maryland, Founding Director of the Anne Marie Gardens Sculpture Garden, Co-Founder of the Annual Cancer Crusade Gala in Chesapeake Beach, brought the Christmas in April program to Calvert County and donated to many civic and local organizations.
Motivated by his deep faith in charity and good works, Denny always felt it was his duty to help those in need because he was in a position to do so. Denny embraced this mission, doing so without accolades or publicity, always deflecting praise away from his role. Instead, he always acknowledged the hard work of those people that joined him in turning his vision into a reality, which made his contributions to Calvert County possible.
Dr. James Patrick Jarboe (✞) and Margaret Elizabeth Jarboe
Despite their very busy lives as parents of five children, Margaret and Dr. James Jarboe managed to volunteer their time and talents to the St. Mary’s community and beyond. Dr. Jarboe was among the group of founders of the St. Mary’s Home of the Elderly now known as Cedar Lane Senior Living Community located in Leonardtown. In addition, Dr. Jarboe along with Dr. William Marek, and Mrs. Ella Mae Russell founded Health Share of St. Mary’s, a place where underinsured and uninsured could receive medical care.
Margaret Jarboe, known by her children as Mother Extraordinaire, has been a lifelong volunteer at the Church of Ascension in Lexington Park, Maryland. In addition, she has volunteered for a number of years at Historic St. Mary’s City, Birthright of Southern Maryland, and Three Oaks Center. For twenty years, both Margaret and Dr. Jarboe were a part of a team that went on many missionary trips to Central America to provide support, medical and dental care to the underserved people in Guatemala and Honduras.
“They have always lived very conservative and modest lives. They were/are both very involved in their churches and have donated much of their wealth to the less fortunate. They both exemplify models of Christian servitude to their community” stated Tom Jarboe. In June 2011 just before Dr. Jarboe’s death, a medical building was dedicated to him for his exemplary work.
(✞ deceased)