2023 Community Impact Award Winner: William H. Shrieves
Bill Shrieves gets stuff done. Whether he’s building ramps for isolated seniors, raising money for student scholarships, or volunteering his time to make life better for the region’s senior population, he’s always on the go and looking out for the community’s most vulnerable.
“Service above self is the Rotary motto,” Shrieves says. “I try to live that motto. That’s just what I do. I get great pleasure out of helping other folks.”
For his many accomplishments as a community volunteer and leader, Shrieves was selected by the Talbot County Economic Development Commission as the 2023 Community Impact Award presented annually to an individual.
Shrieves and his wife Jean moved to McDaniel in 1999 after his 30-year career as an executive at AT&T. The couple began volunteering almost immediately, with Bill joining the Rotary Club of St. Michaels, Md. He was instrumental in the club’s Mustang raffle that continues to raise thousands of dollars in scholarships for local high school grads each year. He’s a past president and a longtime active member.
Shrieves and his wife Jean moved to McDaniel in 1999 after his 30-year career as an executive at AT&T. The couple began volunteering almost immediately, with Bill joining the Rotary Club of St. Michaels, Md. He was instrumental in the club’s Mustang raffle that continues to raise thousands of dollars in scholarships for local high school grads each year. He’s a past president and a longtime active member.
It didn’t take long for the new Talbot County residents to see the need around them. Soon Shrieves had launched a project to help a nearby neighborhood clean up its surroundings. With the help of other volunteers, he helped remove trash, rebuild roads, and repair homes. That neighborhood project has grown into a volunteer organization focused on home repairs now known as the Bay Hundred Community Volunteers, active for more than 20 years.
“We do anything from fixing steps to repairing bathroom floors and to building wheelchair ramps,” Shrieves explains. “Last year, we built 21 wheelchair ramps.”
Never to sit idle watching others work, Bill and Jean opened Comfort Keepers, a for-profit senior homecare business in 2005. Like many small businesses, they started with no clients and no staff. When they sold the business eight years later, Comfort Keepers employed 110 caregivers and provided more than 2,000 hours of care each week. Until recently, Shrieves continued to consult with Comfort Keepers and other senior homecare companies internationally.
Today, Shrieves serves as the president of Upper Shore Aging, Inc., a non-profit agency that serves Caroline, Kent, and Talbot counties. He spearheaded the development and implementation of a strategic plan, which served as a guide to rebuilding the organization. He lobbies for funding and encourages new board members to serve as change agents in their communities.
“Bill continues to be focused on improving the quality of life for our seniors, with a particular emphasis on providing the tools necessary to keep them out of nursing and assisted living facilities, and longer in their homes,” says Andy Hollis, executive director of Upper Shore Aging. “His efforts have led to an improved quality of life, directly and indirectly, for a tremendous number of the county’s citizens.”
In addition to his work with seniors, Bill, former employees, friends and family worked together to form the Mid-Shore Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. A pancreatic cancer survivor himself, he is committed to helping others living with the risks of this cancer. The non-profit’s fundraisers include hosting the 5K Twilight PanCan Run at Hog Neck Golf Course each summer.
“Pancreatic cancer is the third most deadly cancer in the country, behind only colorectal and lung cancer,” Shrieves explains. “Only one in four live a year, and the five-year survival rate is 12%.
“Our mission is to provide support to people locally who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer” Shrieves says. “We provide everything from transportation to information and even financial support for someone who’s been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.”
Despite all of his accomplishments, Shrieves shrugs off the notion that he’s special. “We have so many people here who are willing to give their time, talents, and treasures to help other folks,” he says. “None of these organizations could exist without the volunteers that we have. Talbot County has created an environment that nurtures volunteerism and nonprofits.”
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