Edenwald retirement community honors staff with scholarships

It's an exciting time of the year at the Edenwald retirement community inTowson.

This week, during the annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony, 82 employees will receive a total of $116,000 in scholarship money, thanks to Edenwald's 420 residents.

This is the 12th year during which residents have chipped in anywhere from $20 to $5,000 to create scholarships to help employees who want to further their education.

"Many of the recipients have said it has made a tremendous difference in their lives," said Edenwald president Sal Molite, who is co-chairing this year's scholarship committee with resident George Hohl.

Lutherville resident Shannon Pelzer, a fourth-year student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, majoring in social work, started waitressing in the Edenwald dining room almost six years ago and is now a hostess.

The scholarships she has received "have taken away the stress of trying to pay for textbooks and extra expenses," she said. "It means a lot because the money was donated by the residents."

But giving is as good as getting for the residents, according to Hohl. Think in terms of 420 doting grandparents.

"It's one of the most rewarding things you can do, to get behind and support the education of a lot of nice people," said Hohl on July 22 — after just finishing signing 82 certificates by hand.

Residency in Edenwald, which offers various levels of care, does not come cheap. Basic entry fees range from $70,000 to $316,000. Subsequent monthly fees range from $2,315 to $4,840.

"It is an expression of the residents' gratitude and appreciation for generous, efficient and courteous service," said resident Q.D. Thompson, who chaired the scholarship committee for nine years.

The scholarship program serves as an alternative to Edenwald's policy of not allowing tipping employees in any part of its operation, Molite said.

"Any employee who accepts a tip is terminated; in fact I have had employees come to me and turn in money because a resident insisted," said Molite.

"Our mission is a family environment," he said. "We want employees who want to help or serve the residents. We look at this place as the residents' home. We don't need to commercialize it."

Dining room hostess Pelzer is a case in point.

"I love working with the residents," she said. "It doesn't feel like work, and I love getting to know them. My brother works here too, and they have gotten to know both of us. It's like family."

Scholarship applicants must be employees in good standing. Those who work a minimum of 225 hours annually are eligible for $1,000. Those who work 325 hours or more qualify for a $1,500 scholarship.

The program has grown despite the bad economy. This year, the maximum amount allowed over four years was changed from $5,000 to $6,000, and the number of recipients, from 60 to 82.

"The residents remain generous and still give money to help our kids go to college," Molite said. "It's a wonderful thing."

Generational gift

Peggy Ruppersberger, president of the Edenwald Residents Association for the last three years, is an enthusiastic donor.