Close Menu
Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

410-723-6397

Wileys again honored for volunteerism in community

(May 7, 2015) Berlin residents Helen and Mike Wiley were honored with the 2015 William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award during a ceremony at the Berlin Visitor’s Center on Monday, May 4.
The award continues a remarkable three-month streak of awards for the husband and wife couple, known for their volunteer efforts and work with the Church Mouse in Berlin.
Helen Wiley was honored as “Volunteer of the Year” by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce in March and the couple took home the 50th annual Berlin Award, given by the Berlin Lion’s Club, in April.  
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot presented the Wileys with their latest honor, following a brief introduction by Berlin Mayor Gee Williams.
Also in attendance were State Senator Jim Mathias (D-38), County Commissioner Bud Church, Worcester County Register of Wills Charlotte Cathell, Worcester County Clerk of Court Susan Braniecki and District 1 Berlin Councilmember Troy Purnell.
“I can’t tell you how happy we are to continuously be celebrating the giving spirit of the people in Berlin,” Williams said. “I think it’s without saying that what you are is what you value, and Berlin has certainly made a tradition for many years … of valuing and honoring charitable giving and volunteering spirit that these folks represent being honored today.”
Williams praised Franchot, saying, “He knows Berlin.
“He spent most of the day here back before Christmas,” Williams said. “I think it was the day after Thanksgiving.”
“Bought something, too,” Franchot added.
“More than one thing, but we won’t talk about it. He left an impression, not only with his personality [but] with his pocketbook,” Williams said. “We are extremely grateful for the fact that you take a first-person interest in berlin, and that you also obviously recognized the important contributions these folks have done for our community and continue to do.”
In a nod to Berlin’s coolest town franchise, Franchot said, “Mayor Williams nicely nominated the coolest couple in the town of Berlin for an honor that I feel very strongly about personally,” he said.
The comptroller also used the event to comment on the recent civil unrest in Baltimore.
“For all the wrong reasons a city that I love personally was in the national news,” he said. “I think there are a couple lessons in that. Number one is that violence is not a solution. Secondly, I think our elected officials and our community leaders and our law enforcement did a great job bring calm and stability back.”
Franchot went on to say that he believed youths throughout the state were “facing a lot of frustration.”
“Among young people there’s a lot of anxiety about aspirations, because jobs and their future are not as clear as they used to be,” he said. “So I’m really personally grateful to Mike and Helen Wiley for the kind of positive, adult role model that they provide our young people. They’re able to show, through their philanthropic efforts and their volunteer efforts, the kind of example that young people need in the state to get them through this difficult economic time that they’re in.”
Mathias praised the couple for their service to the community.
“The whole community benefits from folks like you,” he said. “I’m grateful … that God continues to bless us, in every community, with folks like you, Mike and Helen, with your inspiration.”
Church said the Wileys were “an example of 99.9 percent of the folks that in Berlin.
“It’s small town USA, small town America, and they lead by example,” he said. “Thank you for what you do and what you’ve done.”
Mike Wiley said he was “humbled and honored” by the acknowledgment from the state, adding, “It should be shared with a lot of people.
“Elaine Brady (Bayside Gazette publisher) and Anita [Todd] had enough faith to put me on their board of directors for the [Berlin] chamber, and Mary [Bohlen] over there, who works for the town, she keeps us straight on the parks commission. She’s the brains behind it. And, of course, Michael Day. I have to hang with someone my own age.
“It’s been quite an honor to be here,” he continued. “We’ve enjoyed it.”
Helen Wiley said it was an honor to be recognized with the Schaefer Award, as well as the other designations.
“I love being a part of this community that shares the same values that I do,” she said. “Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it, and I will continue for as long as these little legs can do it.”